BROOKLYN, N.Y.- The Saint Francis Red Flash repeated as NEC champions for the thrice time after beating LIU Brooklyn 8-6 in the second game of Title Saturday. Saint Francis used big hits and clutch pitching to hold on and achieve the title.
Coach's Reaction
"We went into the second game with our backs against the wall. I told them that it is either going to be your last game or their last game. They usually answer and they definitely answered today!"
Game One Recap
Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) received the start in the circle for Saint Francis and opened the game with a quick 1-2-3 inning. The Red Flash also went down in order in the bottom half of the first inning as a grounder and two strikeouts were recorded.
LIU Brooklyn struck for the opening run in the top of the second inning. A hit by pitch placed a runner on third and a double in the left center gap scored her. The hitter traveled to third on the errant throw. Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) remained sturdy in the circle and recorded three straight pop-ups to end the frame without letting up another run.
Saint Francis tried to counter in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs, Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) was hit by a pitch but Jordan Frank's (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) sharp grounder was collected by the pitcher for the third out.
Clark returned to the mound and promptly set down the LIU Brooklyn batters.
In the top of the third inning, Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School) led off with a single and Tayven Rousseau (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) was hit by a pitch. MeKenzie Saban's (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) bunt attempt was used to throw out Bezjak at third. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) hit a grounder down the line but the third baseman collected the ball, stepped on third, and threw to second for the double play.
LIU Brooklyn loaded the bases on three straight singles. Clark got one out via the infield fly. A close call on a ball four scored a run. Clark rallied and obtained a short fly ball and a grounder to keep the score at 2-0.
Norton led off the inning with a monster home run to the opposite field to cut the deficit in half. Kassidy Troxell (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) followed up with a sharp single but she was erased by a double play to end the inning.
LIU Brooklyn slammed a home run to take a 4-1 lead. Clark was hit by a line drive and exited the game to be replaced by Meadow Uncapher (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant High School). Uncapher allowed a single but she also obtained the final out.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Saint Francis had another base runner and opportunity vanquished by a LIU Brooklyn double play.
LIU Brooklyn struck for two more in the top of the sixth inning. A collection of hits set the table for another hit to left field to score two runs. Uncapher recorded the final out but the damage was done.
Saint Francis tried to score runs in the bottom of the sixth inning but the hits would not fall in for SFU.
Uncapher returned to the circle in the seventh inning and placed a zero on the scoreboard. Saint Francis attempted the miracle rally but a fly out by Frank ended the chance. Thus, the Red Flash and the Blackbirds had to play a second game to determine the NEC Tournament title.
Game Two Recap
Saint Francis struck quickly in game two seeking to set the tone. Mekenzie Saban led off with her 23rd double of the season and Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) singled to place runners on the corners. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) stroked a single to center field to score a run. Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) was intentionally walked to load the bases. Unfortunately, Kassidy Troxell (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) was unable to replicate her grand slam from yesterday and instead hit a minor dribbler that resulted in a force out at home. Bower struck out and Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) fouled out to right to end the inning.
Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) started in the circle for Saint Francis and recorded a quick 1-2-3 inning.
Saint Francis looked to add to the advantage but a Rousseau single was left undeveloped as Saban and Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) popped up.
Bower, once again, kept LIU off the scoreboard by putting up a zero on the scoreboard.
The Red Flash added to the advantage with two runs in the top of the third inning. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) was hit by a pitch to start the frame and advanced to second on Hayley Norton's (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) groundball. Kassidy Troxell (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) hit a grounder and LIU Brooklyn looked to trap McKee in a rundown. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) pulled her best Josh Harrison impersonation and slid in safety at third. Troxell sneaked to second during the confusion. Â Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) helped her own case with a single into left field. McKee scored easily and Troxell took advantage of a throw to first to slide home safely. 3-0 SFU.
Bower quickly recorded two outs but LIU Brooklyn countered with two singles. Bower working carefully against the Blackbirds' premier power hitter struck her out to end the inning.
SFU rode the momentum to score five runs in the top of the fourth inning. Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) was inserted as a pinch hitter and drew the leadoff walk. Saban followed with a sharp single. LIU Brooklyn, in response, decided on a pitching change. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois), using a senior's eye, worked a walk to load the bases. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) labored the pitcher for a walk to score a run. Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) followed with the biggest hit of the game; a double that rolled to the wall and cleared the bases. Three straight hit by pitches scored the eighth run and the Red Flash were up 8-0.
LIU Brooklyn showed fight by using a single and a walk to set up the traditional three-run homer. The veteran Bower kept calm on the mound and obtained the needed three outs.
Saint Francis couldn't respond in kind in the top of the fifth inning as the Red Flash were retired in order.
LIU Brooklyn notched another run after a walk and two singles loaded the bases. Saban gathered up a sharp grounder and throw to home to prevent a run. A close call on a potential strike three turned into ball three and the next pitch became ball four to make it 8-4. Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) entered the circle in relief and faced a LIU Brooklyn pinch hitter. Clark induced a slow-loading grounder which Bower collected for the third out.
Despite Bower being hit by a pitch, the Red Flash could not collect any insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning. Clark allowed a hit and walk but she obtained a key fly ball to end the threat.
The seventh inning dawned with the tension buzzing. Saint Francis tried to further the lead but no runs were forthcoming. LIU Brooklyn died hard. With one out and a runner on first, a LIU Brooklyn pinch hitter jacked a two-run homer over the left field fence. The next batter flied out. The following batter singled to bring up the winning run at the plate. Indeed, it was a near-run thing, but Clark proved to be a master as she persuaded a soft liner to Bower who collected the ball and was promptly dogpiled by her jubilant teammates. The realization set in; the Red Flash were three straight NEC Champions!
Notes
·        Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) won NEC Tournament MVP for her outstanding pitching in the circle. She is the second straight Red Flash pitcher to win the award.
·        With the victory, Saint Francis became the first team to win the NEC Tournament other than the host team since 2015.
·        Coach Jessica O'Donnell became the first coach in SFU softball history to win the NEC Title in her inaugural season.
Up Next
Saint Francis will have to wait until 9 pm tomorrow night for the Selection Show on ESPN 2 to see where they are headed. The previous two seasons have witnessed the Red Flash traveling to Tucson.
