Chattanooga, Tenn. - Amidst blustery, frigid weather, the Red Flash softball team dropped the first two games of the Frost Classic to Saint Louis 4-2 and UNLV 1-0.
Game One Recap
In the first 1 ½ innings, both teams singled but neither baserunner advanced to a serious threat as the pitchers held firm. Grace Vesco ( Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) started in the circle for Red Flash. In the bottom of the second inning, the familiar bugaboos for Saint Francis (leadoff hitters reaching and errors) reared their ugly heads as Swiderski for Saint Louis reached on a Rachel Marsden (Erie, Pa./McDowell) error. Two fly outs advanced her to third base and a passed ball allowed her to score the 1-0 advantage for the Billikens.
The Red Flash had a large opportunity to counter in the top of the third inning as Mekenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) and Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) both singled and then worked a double steal. With the runners at second and third, Tayven Rousseau (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) attempted to drive them in but could only muster a sharp grounder to the shortstop for the third out.
Saint Louis used that momentum to increase their lead in their frame of the third inning. A leadoff grounder was followed by two singles. A second error by Marsden loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly scored the first run. A blooper single was next to score two more runs. Vesco recovered to obtain a swinging strikeout but the lead was 4-0 SLU.
For the two next innings, only one baserunner for both team reached; a Billiken ended up on second after a throwing error but she was quickly erased by the Red Flash. SFU got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning. Frank and Rousseau singled and Marsden drove the ball into left center field for a double. Frank scored to cut the deficit to 4-1 while Rousseau was held at third. With one out, the opportunity seemed promising. Unfortunately, Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School) and Madeline Barnes (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) grounded out.
Vesco shut down the Billiken 1-2-3 to keep the score at 4-1. SFU mounted a rally in the top of the seventh inning. Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) pinch hitting for Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) slashed a single to left field and advanced to second on a passed ball. Avery Nagle (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove Area) singled to place runners on the corners. Saban reached on a fielder's choice to score Marion and cut the margin to 4-2. Frank grounded out to the pitcher to end the game.
Game Two Recap
The first inning foreshadowed to the cold spectators of the upcoming pitcher's duel as both teams went down in order. Rachel Marsden (Erie, Pa./McDowell) received the start in the circle for Saint Francis and pitched beautifully against a seasoned Mountain West squad.
In the bottom of the second inning, UNLV advanced the first serious threat. A single and a stolen base placed a Rebel on second with no outs. Marsden, a freshman, extracted herself from the situation like a veteran obtaining two swinging strikeouts and a soft grounder to second.
For the two next innings both sides managed a single but neither runner posed a crucial threat to the dominant pitchers. In the top of the fifth inning, Marion led off with a single, and advanced to third on two fly balls. Crawford drove a laser into the outfield but it had eyes for the center fielder.
After each team recorded a three and out, UNLV broke the ice in the bottom of the sixth inning. A walk and a single had runners at first and second. A soft single that looped into no man's land between Bezjak and Emily Nunez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Alta Loma ) scored the decisive run. A grounder was out number three but UNLV had the 1-0 advantage.
Saint Francis entered the top of the seventh inning looking to extend the game but UNLV changed pitchers and the new hurler earned the save by setting down the Red Flash in order.
Up Next
Tomorrow, the Red Flash, once again, play two games at the Frost Classic. Miami (Ohio) is at noon and Saint Louis follows at 2 p.m.
