Buies Creek, N.C. - The Red Flash completed a dramatic 10-6 comeback against Howard but lost in 6-0 against Campbell on day one of the Campbell Invitational.
Game One Recap
First Inning
The Red Flash were unable to jump out to an early lead as Mekenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) and Tavyen Rousseau were retired. Madeline Barnes (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) slashed a single but Rachel Marsden's (Erie, Pa./McDowell) hard drive went right to the Howard right fielder.
Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) started in the circle for SFU. The Bison scored first courtesy of piecing three singles to bring home the opening salvo. Clark got the third out via a looking strikeout but Howard grabbed the early advantage.
Second Inning
The Red Flash went down in order as two grounders and a pop-up proved to be decisive.
Howard added to the lead with another run. The leadoff hitter singled, advanced to second on the throw, was sacrificed to third, and scored on another single. A Howard runner was caught stealing to end the inning but the deficit was 2-0.
Third Inning
With two outs, Saban ripped a screamer to deep right field and hustled to third for a triple. Unfortunately, she was stranded there after Rousseau popped-up to first.
Howard scored again in their frame. With two outs and a Howard runner on first, Marsden fielded a routine grounder and flipped to second but the runner beat the throw. A hit by pitch loaded the bases. A single through the middle scored a run. A grounder was the third out but the Bison led 3-0.
Fourth Inning
With one out, Marsden singled into left field. Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) followed with a double into right field to put runners on second and third. Alas, Marion's grounder couldn't score Marsden and Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) popped up to the pitcher leaving the runners stranded.
Howard used a double followed by a single to score another run. But Clark and the Red Flash contained the damage.
Fifth Inning
SFU broke through the scoring deadlock with seven runs to seize the lead. Sparkplug Ashley Wruble (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) started the action with a walk, Saban followed with a second walk. Rousseau popped up for the second out and it looked like another opportunity would be lost but Barnes smashed a single to score Wruble. Marsden doubled down the right field line to plate Saban and Barnes. Howard quickly switched pitchers to no avail. Frank walked. Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) singled to tie the game. Crawford singled to take the lead and Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School) climaxed the inning with a two-run triple. A double steal ended the inning after Bezjak was trapped in a rundown but the Red Flash had the lead.
Rachel Marsden (Erie, Pa./McDowell) entered the circle in the fifth inning. Howard managed two base runners but with one out, Rousseau gobbled up a grounder, stepped on second, and threw to first to complete the double play.
Sixth Inning
The Red Flash added another run courtesy of a Howard error. Saban started the frame with a sharp single and then stole second. Madeline Barnes (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) hit a grounder to third, Saban's feint towards the bag was enough to throw an errant throw into the Howard dugout. Saban scored and Barnes ended up at second. Insurance has been purchased.
Howard using a combination of hits cut into the SFU lead by two runs. The damage started after Frank lost a fly ball in the sun. A wild pitch moved the runner to third. A single scored her. Two more singles scored another run but Rousseau gobbled up a sharp grounder and threw to Bezjak for the third out.
Seventh Inning
Saint Francis tacked on two insurance runs for a 10-6 lead as Marion walked to start the frame, Bezjak doubled off the wall in left field to score him. Lauren Aubry's (Marengo, Illinois/Marengo) suicide squeeze attempt missed but the rundown was averted and Bezjak scored as the Howard third baseman literally dropped the ball. Saban walked but Rousseau's solidly struck ball was caught for the third out.
Marsden shut down the Bison in order to prevent any heroics. With a grounder to Bezjak, the Red Flash were victors for the second time in a year.
Second Game Recap
First Inning
The Red Flash were retired in order to start the game as neither Saban, Rousseau, nor Barnes could reach base.
Grace Vesco ( Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) started in the circle for Saint Francis and did not last long as the Fighting Camels scored five runs before a single out was recorded. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases. The next batter hit a soft grounder to Vesco. She gloved it and threw to home but the umpire ruled safe. The following batter cranked a grand slam and Meadow Uncapher (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant High School) entered the circle for the first time in 2020. Uncapher yielded a walk but got two fly outs and a strikeout to end the frame.
Second Inning
Marsden walked to start the second after a lengthy battle with the pitcher. She moved to second on a wild pitch, and to third after Marion's grounder. She attempted to score on a wild pitch but the ball didn't bounce quite far away enough and the catcher tagged her out.
Campbell singled but the Red Flash defense prevented any further runs with careful glove-work. Uncapher grabbed a hot grounder up the middle and threw to second for the third out.
Third Inning
Bezjak led off with a walk but Marion and Avery Nagle (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove Area) went down swinging. Saban absolutely connected on a pitch but the center fielder dived and robbed her of a deserved double.
Campbell couldn't add to its lead as the Red Flash flashed the leather. Crawford made a nice catch in left field and Uncapher stabbed a hot grounder, threw to second, and the untraditional double play was completed after the umpire called runner interference after a hard slide.
Fourth Inning
The Red Flash were unable to obtain any runs despite Rousseau being hit by a pitch to lead off. Two grounders and a fly out left her on the base paths.
Campbell added another run as two singles and some aggressive base running led to the sixth run but the third out occurring on the same play.
Fifth Inning
Saint Francis went down in order during their frame.
Campbell led off with a single but Uncapher stayed steady to record three straight outs and keep the deficit at six runs.
Sixth Inning
Nagle and Saban both smacked hard grounders but fielders were waiting. Rousseau obtained a two out walk but Barnes' grounder down the line was collected for the third out.
The leadoff hitter batted for Campbell but a fielder's choice, pop-up, and a grounder eliminated the threat.
Seventh Inning
Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) slapped a single through the right side of the infield after Marsden and Frank flew out but a strikeout ended the game.
Up Next
Tomorrow, SFU plays Bucknell at 12:30 pm and Howard directly afterwards to complete the series at the Campbell Invitational.
