Buies Creek, N.C. - The Red Flash lost 5-2 to Bucknell but rallied to beat Howard 6-5 in the final day at the Campbell Invitational.
First Game Recap
First Inning
Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) got on via a missed third strike and stole two bases. Tayven Rousseau (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) obtained entry via a walk but Madeline Barnes (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) and Rachel Marsden (Erie, Pa./McDowell) were unable to hit them in.
Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) started in the circle for SFU. Bucknell's leadoff hitter singled, stole second, advanced to third on a fly out, and scored on a second single. Clark kept her cool to record the last two outs but Bucknell led early.
Second Inning
The Red Flash went down in order.
Bucknell added another run for a 2-0 lead. A double and a single placed runners in scoring position and a second single scored the run.
Third Inning
Once again, the Red Flash went retired without reaching base.
 Bucknell scored again in their frame. A leadoff double set the table and a fielding error by Rachel Marsden (Erie, Pa./McDowell) scored the runner. A swingout strikeout and a fly out were brief consolation.
Fourth Inning
For the third inning in a row, SFU was set down in order.
Clark prevented any runs from scoring despite yielding a single and a stolen base by obtaining a pop-out, foul out, and a groundout.
Fifth Inning
Bezjak singled for the first SFU hit of the game. But three straight outs followed to leave her stranded on the base paths.
Bucknell's leadoff hitter once again reached base and scored. A leadoff single was followed by a double. The runner was thrown out at the plate by a perfect relay from Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) to Mekenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) to Tayven Rousseau (Beaver, Pa./Beaver). Alas, a sacrifice fly followed to score the fourth run.
Sixth Inning
For the fourth inning in the game, Saint Francis went down in order.
Bucknell added an insurance run by hitting a home run on the first pitch of their frame. A throwing error and two singles loaded the bases but a fielder's choice to home was the first out. Frank completed an amazing double play by catching the fly out and threw a laser to home plate to eliminate the runner.
Seventh Inning
The Red Flash attempted to rally and scored two runs in the attempt. Ashley Wruble (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) reached on a throwing error after a strikeout and Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School) homered to left field to cut the deficit to 5-2. But Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) and Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) swung out swinging to end the game.
Game Two Recap
First Inning
Grace Vesco ( Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) started in the circle for Saint Francis. Once again, the leadoff batter reached this time on a walk. She promptly stole second and advanced to third on a grounder. A fielding error by Saban allowed the first run to score. Vesco kept her composure by getting the next two batters to strike out and ground out.
After Saban grounded out and Frank struck out looking, Rousseau obtained a walk. Marsden reached on a fielder's choice to shortstop and SFU scored a run after the ball sailed into right field. With the right fielder absent on backing up, Rousseau scored. Bezjak struck out looking but the game was tied.
Second Inning
Vesco set down the Howard lineup in order obtaining three grounders.
The Red Flash seized the lead after Wruble singled, stole second, advanced to third on a Crawford fly out, and Avery Nagle (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove Area) earned her first ever collegiate hit and RBI by driving in Wruble on a slap single for a 2-1 lead.
Third Inning
Howard tied up the game using a single and a stolen base to set the opportunity. After a grounder advanced her to third, another single scored the runner. A fielder's choice ended the frame but the game was tied 2-2.
Rousseau singled to right field but Marsden struck out swinging and Bezjak grounded to third.
Fourth Inning
Vesco set down the Bison in order.
The Red Flash went down in order with two grounders and a pop-up.
Fifth Inning
 Howard took the lead after the leadoff hitter reached first on an error by Marsden. A hit by pitch followed. A throwing error by the catcher led on a double steal resulted in a 3-2 Howard lead. A suicide squeeze scored the fourth run. A fly out ended the frame but Howard had the lead.
Once again, the Red Flash used some two-out lightning to zap Howard. After Nagle and Saban grounded out, Frank singled up the middle and then stole second. Rousseau singled. Marsden grounded to the shortstop and beat out the throw for a 4-3 deficit. Bezjak followed up with a triple to right center field. The ball found the gap and kept rolling to score Marsden and Rousseau for the 5-4 lead.
Sixth Inning
Howard singled twice to start off the frame but the Red Flash used some great defense and steady pitching to blunt the threat. The Howard batter attempted to bunt but she popped it up and Saban dived to catch it. A fielder's choice was the second out and a grounder to Bezjak ended the game.
The Red Flash tried to add some insurance runs. Crawford singled to start the frame. Meadow Uncapher (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant High School) batted for the first time in her collegiate career and reached on a fielder's choice. Nagle struck out. Saban doubled for the first time in 2020 but Uncapher was thrown out at home.
Seventh Inning
Howard tied up the game 5-5 courtesy of fielding errors. The leadoff hitter reached on an error by Emily Nunez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Alta Loma ). The next batter was ruled out by runner's interference. The new runner then stole second. A single to Vesco placed runners at first and third. A fielder's choice resulted in a tied game. A fielding error by Marsden loaded the bases but Vesco induced a grounder to Nunez to end the frame.
Saint Francis entered the frame looking for the walk-off win and found one literally. Frank singled to left field, Rousseau dropped down a bunt, reached safety, and Frank advanced to third when she realized no Howard fielder was covering third. Rousseau then advanced to second. Marsden grounded out to second and no runner could score. Bezjak was intentionally walked and Wruble drew a walk to achieve a literal walk-off and the Flash were 6-5 victors.
The Red Flash are back in action next weekend at the Chattanooga Frost Classic.
