Bloomington, Indiana- On a blustery Ides of March, the Saint Francis Red Flash softball team won a wild 19-18 victory over Ohio and lost 11-0 in five innings to Toledo. The game against Ohio was Shakespearean in character and twists as suiting the Ides of March date popularized by Shakespeare.
Ohio Recap
· In the first inning, the Red Flash had two quick baserunners thanks to MeKenzie Saban's (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) single and Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) reaching on an error. A Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) walk loaded the bases. Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) scored three runs with a bases clearing double.
· Ohio returned fire in their bottom half of the first inning with a three run homer to tie the game.
· The Red Flash were retired in order during their frame of the second inning.
· Ohio, however, drove in seven runs in their half of the second inning. The Bobcats scored two runs on a hit by pitch and a bases loaded walk. Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) was removed for Meadow Uncapher (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant High School). Ohio disregarded the chance and hit a bases clearing triple for a 10-3 lead.
· In the third inning, Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) made history a no doubt about it bomb to right field. The home run tied Norton with Jordan Seneca (Plum, Pa./Plum) for all-time home runs (48). Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) rode the momentum for a back-to-back home run. The Red Flash were unable to tack on any more runs and the score was 10-5.
· Uncapher held down the Bobcats by retiring them in order.
· SFU just overwhelmed the Bobcats with 10 runs in the top of the fourth inning.
· Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) led things off with a home run. Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) and Saban singled. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) doubled in two runs and by doing so, chased the pitcher from the game. Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) walked and Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) singled in her sister. Kassidy Troxell (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) hit a sacrifice fly. Crawford was hit by a pitch to score another run. Marion singled in a run. Saban doubled in two RBIs. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) walked which chased the pitcher. Thus, Cheyenne was responsible for chasing two pitchers in one inning. Norton singled in the final run of the half inning. When the dust cleared, the Red Flash were up 15-10.
· Ohio managed a hit but a double play ended the half inning.
· In the top of the fifth inning, the Red Flash tacked on two more runs for a 17-10 lead when Troxell hit a single up the middle.
· The Bobcats struck back for three runs. One single led to a run and another single scored two RBIs to cut the deficit to 17-13.
· In the SFU's frame of the sixth inning, the Red Flash were dispatched in order.
· Likewise, Ohio was sent down 1-2-3.
· The Red Flash added two crucial insurance runs in their frame of the seventh inning. Saban grounded out for the first run and Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) singled to right field for the second run.
· The two insurance runs proved necessary as befitting the Ides of March, the game featured a crazy climax. Ohio started off the frame with a solo home run. A mishandled pop-up, a single, and a walk loaded the bases. Ohio capitalized with a grand slam and the lead was down to 19-18. But Uncapher remained calm and picked the perfect moment for her first strikeout of the game. The Red Flash held on for a 19-18.
Toledo Recap
· The game started off well for the Red Flash with Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) setting the Rockets down in order.
· Saban singled to start the inning but she was left stranded.
· In the second inning, a walk and a home run combined to give Toledo a 2-0 lead.
· The Red Flash were unable to counter in their frame of the second inning.
· Toledo started the third inning off with a double and a walk. A fielding error by Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) allowed both runners to score. A follow-up single scored another run. A home run finished off Bower and gave Toledo a 7-0 lead. Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) entered the circle in relief and obtained the final outs.
· Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) was hit by a pitch but the result yielded no runs.
· In the top of the fourth inning, Toledo threatened to score but Clark held the runners at bay.
· A Frank walk gave brief hope but the free pass yielded nothing.
· Toledo exploded for four runs in the top of the fifth inning. A hit by pitch and a couple of singles scored the first run. Two doubles allowed three runs to cross the plate and gave the Rockets a 11-0 lead.
· The Red Flash entered the bottom of the fifth inning needing four runs to keep the game going. Crawford reached on a fielding error, Marion struck out, and Saban doubled down the left field line. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) had an apparent hit stolen by a great catch and the game ended when it was determined that Crawford left the base early. The mercy rule applied and SFU was beaten 11-0.
Notes
· Norton is now tied with Seneca for most career home runs with 48.
· Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) earned her 200th career hit.
Up Next
The Red Flash return to action tomorrow against Toledo at 12:30 pm and Ohio at 5:30 pm.
