Spartanburg, S.C. - The Red Flash softball squad started off the 2020 season with the right touch of dramatics by conquering the late innings to clinch a 5-4 win over the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Coach O'Donnell's Reaction

"This was a great team win. So proud of our team and their relentless drive throughout the game. We had some big time moments in key situations and a gem of a game for freshman Grace Vesco ( Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) on the mound. We can't wait to continue to build on this."

Recap

Mekenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) worked the pitcher for a walk in the top of the first inning but the Red Flash could not push her across the plate as Tayven Rousseau (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) struck out, Rachel Marsden (Erie, Pa./McDowell) walked, and Madeline Barnes (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) flied out to the warning track.

Grace Vesco ( Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) started in the circle for Saint Francis and recorded a scoreless inning in her collegiate debut.

In the second inning, the Red Flash went down in order as Marshall pitching and defense kept the offense in check. Vesco obtained her first career strikeout but Marshall put two hits together before Vesco recorded a second strikeout. Alas, two straight hit by pitches gave Marshall the early lead. A fly out to Frank limited the damage to one run.

The Red Flash struck back to tie the game in the top of the third inning. Ashley Wruble (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) was hit by a pitch. A fielder's choice by Avery Nagle (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove Area) then eliminated Wruble but placed Nagle on first. Nagle stole second, and Saban worked her second walk. Rousseau flied out to second base. Marsden drove in her first career RBI with an infield single as Nagle raced around third like lightning to score. Barnes popped up to end the frame.

Marshall regained the lead on a double that scored the leadoff hitter who reached on a walk. The Red Flash had a chance to nail the runner at home but the throw sailed high. A line out to short ended the threat but Marshall was up 2-1.

In the top of the fourth inning, Saint Francis tied the game again. Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School) drew a walk, Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) reached on an error, and Dubois native Ashley Wruble (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) drove in DuBois denizen Frank to knot the score at 2-2. Nagle popped up to end the frame.

Vesco used the momentum to hold Marshall scoreless despite the presence of two Thundering Herd runners.

Saban started the top of the fifth inning reaching base for the third time. This time, being hit by a pitch. An attempt to trap Saban on a throw down failed as the sphere flew into the right field area. Saban scampered down to second. Unfortunately, Rousseau popped up to second, Marsden struck out swinging, and Barnes lined out to left field.

Marshall gained the lead during the bottom of the fifth inning. A single and an error placed two runners on the base paths. A following single turned into two RBIs after Nagle misjudged it in right field. A walk and another error followed but Vesco showcased Grace under pressure to obtain the final two outs.

The Red Flash rallied for a run in the top of the sixth. Crawford singled and advanced to second on a fielder's choice. Wruble came through clutch with another RBI single. Nagle grounded out to end the inning but Saint Francis cut the deficit in half.

Despite a leadoff walk, Vesco kept Marshall off the scoreboard to set up a climatic seventh inning.

With rally caps on, Saban grounded out to the shortstop and was narrowly nipped by a great stretch. Rousseau tied the game by launching a rocket over the right field fence. Marsden swung out swinging but it was a short exculpation as Barnes grabbed the lead with a massive bomb over the left field fence. Crawford lined out but the Red Flash had the lead.

Vesco pitched the seventh inning like a cool veteran fireman. The first hitter lifted a soft fly ball to sure-gloved Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic). After the last two hitters went down swinging, the Red Flash had their classic comeback win.

Notes

• Coach Jessica O'Donnell became just the second coach in SFU history to win the first game of the season in their first two seasons. The other coach to turn the trick? The current Director of Sports Medicine Terry Bennett. Bennett coached the SFU team from 1991-1993 and won the first game of the season every year.
• Freshmen drove in four of the five SFU runs.
• Vesco recorded six strikeouts. That was the most strikeouts by a Red Flash pitcher since Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) struck out six Penn State hitters on April 6, 2019.

Up Next
The Red Flash return to action tomorrow against Bucknell. Game time is slated for 11 a.m.