SMITHFIELD, R.I.- The Saint Francis softball team split a doubleheader with Bryant to open NEC play on a sensual, spring day in sunny Rhode Island. The Bulldogs grabbed the first game 7-3 and the Red Flash countered with a 5-4 triumph in the second contest.

Game One Recap

·         The Red Flash threatened early courtesy of a hit by pitch and a walk but a sharp Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) grounder was gobbled up for the third out.

·         Meadow Uncapher (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant High School) started in the circle for the Red Flash.

·         Bryant scored four runs after two singles and a walk. A bases clearing triple gave the Bulldogs an early 3-0 lead. A groundball RBI made it 4-0.

·         The Red Flash had leadoff doubles from Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) and Kassidy Troxell (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) but SFU was unable to push across any runs in the second inning.

·         Uncapher retired the Bulldogs 1-2-3 in the corresponding frame.

·         In the third inning, thanks to stellar Bryant defense, the Red Flash were held scoreless.

·         Bryant extended its lead with a two-run homer over the left field wall.

·         Saint Francis got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning. Troxell and Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) reached on singles and MeKenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) singled them home for the Red Flash's first two runs.

·         Uncapher battled back and kept the Bulldogs off the board.

·         In the fifth inning, Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) made the score 6-3 with a blast over the left center fence and the little stone wall that was just beyond it.

·         Bryant scored an insurance run off Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) in the bottom of the fifth inning for a 7-3 advantage.

·         The Red Flash were retired in order in the top of the sixth inning.

·         Bryant couldn't add any more insurance runs in their frame of the sixth inning.

·         Saint Francis needed four runs to keep the game and conference win streak alive but the Red Flash were retired in order to end the game and the streak.

Game Two Recap

·         The Red Flash loaded the bases in the first inning on a hit by pitch and two walks but the big hit was not forthcoming.

·         Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) started in the circle and held Bryant scoreless in the first inning.

·         SFU grabbed the early lead in the top of the second inning with some timely hitting. Brianna Walker (Walworth, N.Y./Gananda) walked and MeKenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) doubled to set the stage for Cheyenne McKee's (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) clutch two-run single for the 2-0 lead. Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) doubled but no more runs crossed the plate.

·         In Bryant's frame, Bower held the Bulldogs to no runs.

·         SFU had a walk in the third inning but Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) was nabbed trying to steal to end the frame.

·         Bryant cut the deficit in half courtesy of a RBI grounder after two singles set up the opportunity.

·         Neither SFU nor Bryant pushed a run across in the fourth inning.

·         In the top of the fifth inning, despite a Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) walk, the Red Flash didn't score.

·         Bryant had a baserunner on first but with one out, the runner took off on a pop-up and was doubled up by Walker and Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois).

·         Saint Francis added some needed insurance runs when Frank walked and Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) sent a homer screaming over the left field wall. Saban hustled for a triple and was driven in by a Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) double for a 5-1 SFU advantage.

·         In the bottom half of the inning, Bryant used a three-run homer to get the runs right back and cut the lead to 5-4.

·         During the top of the seventh inning, SFU was unable to add any insurance runs.

·         Bryant fought like a dog until the final out. A lead-off single and a successful sacrifice bunt placed a runner on second. A walk and a fielder's choice by Saban placed runners on the corner with two outs. The runner on first swiped second to place two ducks in scoring position. It was all for naught as Clark maneuvered the pressure like an experienced fireman and induced a pop-up to Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) who nabbed the ball to ensure the first NEC win of 2019.

Notes

·         The defeat in game one snapped the Red Flash's 38 NEC conference winning streak. However, nothing earthly is infinite and Saint Francis promptly won game two to hopefully begin the start of another long conference win streak.

·         Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) obtained her second save of the season.

Up Next

Continuing with NEC play, the Red Flash travel to New Britain, Connecticut for a doubleheader with Central Connecticut State. The first game is slated for noon with game two scheduled for 2 p.m.