NEW BRITAIN, Conn.- The Saint Francis softball team, in an epic comeback, overcame a 6-0 deficit and rainy conditions to defeat Central Connecticut State 12-6 for a crucial NEC win. The Red Flash used some two-out lightning to extinguish the Blue Devils' lead.
Game One Recap
·        MeKenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) clubbed a lead-off double but the shortstop was caught trying to swipe third to end the half inning.
·        Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) started in the circle for the Red Flash. Bower yielded a walk but shut down the Blue Devils.
·        In the second inning, Bower drew a two-out free pass but the two-out lightning didn't flash despite the rainy environment.
·        CCSU threatened with two singles and runners on second and third but Bower doused the flames with a crucial strikeout.
·        Saint Francis, despite an error, couldn't push across a run in the third inning.
·        CCSU jumped on Bower for six runs as the Blue Devils bunched together a bunch of hits and then chased the senior with a three-run homer. Clark came in and recorded two outs to end the inning.
·        The Red Flash, in the fourth inning, loaded the bases thanks to a hit by pitch and two walks but the big hit remained elusive.
·        CCSU hit a leadoff double but Clark prevented any damage.
·        The fifth inning saw SFU crack the scoreboard. Saint Francis scored two runs after Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) slammed a double into left field. Later in the frame, the bases were loaded when Bower was narrowly nabbed at first for the third out.
·        Clark returned to the circle and shut down the Blue Devils.
·        The Red Flash scored one run after Saban hit into a fielder's choice.
·        CCSU failed to score again as Clark maneuvered out of trouble after allowing a single and walk.
·        SFU came to the plate in the seventh inning needing three runs to continue the game. The Red Flash scored three runs and more in an offensive thunderclap. After a lead-off strikeout, Frank singled and Bower walked. Kassidy Troxell (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) slammed a single into right field for one run. Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) walked and Brianna Walker (Walworth, N.Y./Gananda) doubled to tie up the game at 6-6. But SFU wasn't finished. Saban was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) popped up for the second out. Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) battled in an epic at-bat as the senior battling the elements continuously fouled off pitches until she found the pitch she wanted and the resulting line drive found the gap to give Saint Francis a 9-6 lead. Rattled, the CCSU pitcher walked both Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) and Frank. Bower made the Blue Devils hurler pay for those transgressions with the second bases-clearing double of the inning. The CCSU right fielder made a diving catch for the third out but SFU had the comeback and the 12-6 advantage.
·        Clark kept the excitement levels to a minimum. One walk was the only blemish as she induced a fly-ball to Frank for the final out and SFU moved to 2-1 in conference play.
Game Notes
·        With the bases-clearing double, Norton moves into a tie with Madison Cabell (Ivor, Va./Southampton) for first all-time in career RBIs at 188.
·        The Red Flash outscored the Blue Devils 12-0 over the last three innings.
Up Next
Due to the rainy conditions, Game Two was moved to tomorrow morning at 11 am.
