Hackensack, N.J. - The Red Flash softball team won a key doubleheader against NEC foe Fairleigh Dickinson to clinch the third seed in the NEC Tournament. Saint Francis was triumphant 11-0 (5) and 6-2.

Game One Recap

The Red Flash used its arsenal of lightning bolts to gain the 11-0 drubbing over FDU. Three SFU hitters pounded out home runs.

Saint Francis started hard and fast. Mekenzie Saban kept her hot bat going with a sharp single. Not content with just hitting, she stole second. Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) hit a dying quail single and Coach O'Donnell, trusting her dependable runner, sent her home. Saban was safe and SFU was up 1-0.

Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) started in the circle for the Red Flash. She yielded a two-out single but nothing more as the baserunner was stranded.

Kassidy Troxell (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) doubled to right center and Tayvon Rousseau walked to set the stage for Saban. The shortstop hit a screamer that was hot and heavy. Unfortunately, like many a misguided ball, it had eyes fond for leather. The center fielder collected the ball to rob Saban of a rightful hit.

FDU started the inning with a single but Clark prevented any runs with three straight outs.

In the top of the third inning, SFU put together a decisive inning. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) avenged her sister with a towering home run over the left field wall. 3-0 SFU and the Red Flash were not concluded. Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) drew a two-out walk and Troxell added her second double. Freshman Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School) came up in a pressure-filled situation and delivered like a veteran hitting a sharp single to center field to score two runs for a 5-0 lead.

Clark did not let up. The hurler obtained a 1-2-3 inning with a strike out, fly out, and groundout.

The fourth inning witnessed SFU history as Saban cracked a double to break the SFU single-season record for doubles. The previous record of 20 shared by Saban and Taylor Parsons passed into history. Additionally, the double tied Saban for the single-season record in hits (72) with teammate Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois). McKee set the record in 2017. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) made the most of the historical hit with a single that scored Saban for a 6-0 lead.

FDU continued to be bewildered by Clark's offering. Three straight outs followed for the Knights.

Saint Francis decided that a shortened game was wanted as the Red Flash exploded for five runs to bring the mercy run rule into play. Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) started the proceedings with a home run that curved fair. Troxell singled. Bezjak attempted a sacrifice bunt that turned into more when an errant throw kept her safe at first and advanced Troxell to third. Saban set the single-season hits record (73) with a slashing single that made history and scored Troxell for an 8-0 advantage. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) invoked friendly sister rivalry for the benefit of SFU. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) hit a two-run homer so naturally Cheyenne clubbed a three-run blast. The Red Flash led 11-0 entering the potentially final frame.

The Knights, understandably not wishing to see Senior Day end early, fought desperately to keep the game going. Two singles threatened to lengthen the contest but Clark induced a fielder's choice and a swinging strikeout to gain the complete game and a playoff spot!

Game Two Recap

The Red Flash entered game two confident that they won a playoff spot after the triumph in game one but the team was eager to seize a doubleheader on the travel trail. Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) started in the circle for the Red Flash.

Saint Francis, once again, struck first to set the tone. Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) was hit by a pitch and Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) singled her in for the game's first run. FDU hit a single but a nifty double play by Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) and MeKenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) eliminated the threat.

The Red Flash were unable to score in the second inning. Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) started the frame with a sharp single but two fielder's choices and a grounder to first used up the SFU outs. Bower returned to the circle and shut down the Knights in a 1-2-3 frame.

Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) smoked a two-out double but the timely hit did not fall in for the Red Flash in the top of the third inning. FDU tied the game up in the bottom of the third inning. A questionable safe call placed the leadoff runner on first. A single to center field set the stage for a collusion at home plate. The impact of the FDU runner jarred the ball out of Sierra McKee's (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) glove. The veteran recovered to throw out the batter at third for out number three.

Saint Francis placed two runners on the base paths with a Bower single and a Bezjak hit by pitch. However, they were stranded by a swinging strikeout. FDU had a golden opportunity to seize the lead but great defense by SFU prevented the crisis. The Knights had runners at the corners with zero outs. A sharp grounder was hit to MeKenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills). Usually, a shortstop would concede the run in exchange for the sure out at first. Saban, channeling Han Solo on May the Fourth, said never tell me the odds and fired a laser to home to nab the runner for the first out. The next batter hit a grounder to Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois). The senior second baseman flipped it to Saban who threw to first to record the double play and shut the door on the Knights' charge.

In the top of the fifth inning, Saint Francis jumped out to the lead after the heart of the order combined for three singles to score two runs. Saban started the hit party with a Baltimore chop and a steal of second. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) hit her in, and advanced to second on the throw to home. Norton then slammed a single to score McKee.

FDU countered with a run of their own. A single and a sacrifice bunt granted the opportunity for a second single to score a run. Bower recovered to induce a fly ball and SFU headed into the sixth inning up 3-2.

Bower smashed a double into left field to start the inning. A grounder to the right side advanced Bower to third. Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School) followed with a walk. Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) hit a laser to the shortstop who seized by a fit of greed sought to double-up Bezjak at first. The throw was erratic and wild. Bower promptly raced home for the 4-2 advantage. It was softball heresy compared to the traditional method of scoring but SFU was pleased with the result.

In a clever move, Coach Jessica O'Donnell inserted Meadow Uncapher (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant High School) into the circle. The freshman hurler proceeded to mow down FDU 1-2-3.

Saint Francis entered the seventh inning looking for insurance runs. The Red Flash found them. With two outs, Norton walked, Frank singled, and Bower drew a free pass to set the table for Troxell. The senior third baseman did not disappoint as she feasted on an offering for a two-run single and the 6-2 SFU lead.

FDU died as benefitting a knight: hard and desperate. A walk and a single made events interesting. Uncapher kept her composure and a strikeout, fly out, and a grounder to first perished the Knights. The Red Flash had 10 NEC wins on the season and the third seed in the NEC Tournament.

Notes

·         Mekenzie Saban set three SFU single-season records in Game One: at-bats, hits, and doubles. The sophomore's remarkable season continues to reach new heights.

·         Coach Jessica O'Donnell became the first SFU coach since Michelle Kozak in 2002 to reach the NEC Tournament in the first year at the helm.

·         It has not just been individuals who have rewritten the record books. The 2019 team has entered the top five for team batting average, doubles, triples, and home runs. Remember the season is far from done!

Up Next

It is off to Brooklyn for the NEC Tournament. The competition commences on Thursday. The Red Flash will be looking to become the first three-time champion since LIU Brooklyn turned the trick from 2006-08.