TUSCALOOSA, Al.- The Saint Francis softball team (8-7) lost 8-0 to Michigan State on Friday afternoon. The Red Flash bats were unable to generate any electricity as the Spartans scored early and often to obtain the five inning win.

Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) started in the circle for the Red Flash. Michigan State began the game in a fury as a single and two walks loaded the bases. With the ducks on the pond and two outs, the Spartans got the biggest hit of them all; a grand slam over the right center field. The third out soon followed but the damage was inflicted.

The Red Flash were unable to counter as MeKenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills), Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois), and Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) were retired in order.

Michigan State tacked on two more runs in the second inning courtesy of an error and a sacrifice fly. Bower walked the leadoff hitter and was replaced by Meadow Uncapher (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant High School). A stolen base and a single to center field set up runners at the corners. A defensive lapse on a stolen base attempt moved the runner to third and the previously runner on third came home to score. A sacrifice fly to left field made it 6-0 MSU. 

In the bottom of the second inning, Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) reached on a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch but her teammates couldn't get her home. 

In the top of the third inning, another leadoff walk proved to be kryptonite for the Red Flash. Eveland drew a walk, stole second, and came home on Joyner's double to increase the lead to 7-0. Uncapher using careful pitching escaped the inning without any further damage. 

The Red Flash went down in order in the bottom of the third inning as the balls couldn't escape the Spartans' gloves. 

Michigan State, in the fourth inning, added the crucial eighth run on a double and a wild pitch. 

In SFU's fourth inning frame, there were two outs when Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School) pinch hit for Bower. Once again, the freshman slugger proved her pinch hitting prowess by smacking a single. Unfortunately, she was stranded when a scorching line drive hit by Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) was corralled. 

Michigan State threatened to add insurance runs by hitting a single and walking twice but a snuffed out stolen base attempt and two routine outs ended the chance. 

The Red Flash used every weapon in the arsenal to avoid the mercy rule defeat. Frank grounded out and Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown), pinch hitting for Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan), grounded out as well. There existed, though, a bright spot in the shadows. As a pinch hitter for Kassidy Troxell (Navarre, Ohio/Perry), Allison Ross (Riverview, Michigan/Riverview High School) made her collegiate debut with a smashing single. However, the hope was extinguished when the MSU pitcher gobbled up Brianna Walker's (Walworth, N.Y./Gananda) grounder to end the fifth inning and, by extension, the game. 

Up Next

The Red Flash and the Spartans duel again tomorrow starting at high noon. Live Stats and a Facebook Live video will be available.