BLOOMINGTON, Indiana- The Saint Francis softball team fell to No. 19 Indiana 13-6 after a hard fought game. The Red Flash battled back twice to retake the lead but a second grand slam by Indiana proved decisive.
Game Recap
·        The Red Flash were retired in order to start the game.
·        Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) started in the circle for the Red Flash.
·        Indiana threatened with a double and a walk but Clark masterfully avoided yielding any runs.
·        In the top of the second inning, the Red Flash were unable to earn a baserunner.
·        The Hoosiers used a single and some stolen bases to set up a successful sacrifice fly opportunity to take a 1-0 lead.
·        The Red Flash, in the top of the third inning, were set down 1-2-3.
·        Indiana, despite two walks and a double steal, couldn't score.
·        Saint Francis broke through in the fourth inning. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) singled to break up the perfect game. Norton followed with another single. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) silenced the crowd with a massive missile over the left center field wall. A walk and a throwing error set up another opportunity and Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) converted with a single for a 4-1 lead.
·        Indiana quickly responded. A double and two walks loaded the bases and the number nine hitter smacked a grand slam. Clark recovered to obtain three outs but the damage was done.
·        The Red Flash battled back: Saban reached on a fielding error, Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) singled, and Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) was intentionally walked to load the bases. A new pitcher emerged for Indiana but the change did not affect Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) as the clutch senior hit a single through the left side for a 6-5 lead. Despite runners on second and third with no outs, the Red Flash couldn't add to the lead.
·        The Hoosiers wasted no time in regaining the lead. A solo home run started off the inning to tie the game and chase Clark from the mound. Meadow Uncapher (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant High School) replaced her in the circle. A double, walk, and a single loaded the bases. Saint Francis earned a brief reprieve when a batted ball hit a runner but a groundout and a single scored two runs. Another grand slam slammed the door on escaping the inning with an 8-6 deficit. Instead, SFU was down 12-6.
·        In the top of the sixth inning, the Red Flash were dispatched in order.
·        Indiana added an insurance run courtesy of another solo home run to make it 13-6.
·        Saint Francis had a Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) walk but nothing else in the seventh inning and the Red Flash were defeated.
Up Next
Saint Francis returns to action on Wednesday, March 20th for a doubleheader at George Mason. First game is scheduled for 2:30 pm.
