Spartanburg, S.C. - The Saint Francis softball team battled hard but could not overcome the Towson Tigers or the USC Upstate Spartans during the final day of the Spartan Classic. Towson won 4-3 and USC Upstate emerged 8-1 victors.

Game One Recap

First Inning

The Red Flash were unable to obtain a quick lead as two strikeouts and a collected grounder made for a 1-2-3 frame.

2019 NEC Tournament MVP Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) started in the circle for the first time in 2020 and matched Towson's pitcher by pitching a 1-2-3 frame. A lengthy duel with the leadoff hitter ended in a soft pop-up to Mekenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills). A second pop-up to Saban and a soft liner to shortstop Rachel Marsden (Erie, Pa./McDowell) ended the Tigers.

Second Inning

As in the first inning, the Red Flash were unable to place a baserunner. Marsden cracked a cloud-knocker that carried well but it died at the warning track. Both Crawford and Bezjak struck out to end the frame.

Clark rang up another scoreless inning. Nunez recorded two straight outs on a pop-up and a grounder. Towson singled with two outs but a fly ball to Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) rendered the hit meaningless.

Third Inning

Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) became the first Red Flash runner to reach after being plucked on the back. She then stole second and advanced to third when the throw ventured into the outfield. Avery Nagle (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove Area) and Emily Nunez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Alta Loma ) both struck out trying to drive in Frank. Saban came through with a solid single up the middle to score Frank. Saban stole second but was left stranded after Marion struck out.

Towson attempted to respond in kind but could only manage a single. The first out was recorded when Nunez tracked an errant pop-up. Towson singled but while a grounder moved the runner to second, Clark stranded her at second by recording her first strikeout of 2020.

Fourth Inning

Saint Francis tried to increase their lead but two quick pop-ups and a looking strikeout ended that hope.

Towson threatened with two singles but Clark's pitching continued to control the narrative. A single started the frame followed by a fly out and pop up. A second single placed runners on first and second. Clark kept calm and induced a fly ball to sure-gloved Frank for the third out.

Fifth Inning

Saint Francis had an opportunity to increase the score after Frank singled into left field and stole second. Alas, Nagle grounded out and Nunez struck out to end the frame.

Grace Vesco ( Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) entered the circle in relief of Clark to start the frame. Towson struck with a single. An error by Nunez followed. A wild pitch by Vesco tied the game. A single and a stolen base were followed by a swinging strikeout. The next batter drove the ball to right field where Marion tried to dive for it but it skipped past her for two runs. Vesco recovered to obtain her second strikeout of the game. But the damage wasn't finished as Towson golfed a single to left field to make it 4-1. A soft line drive to Nunez ended the frame but the situation had flipped.

Sixth Inning

Saban fouled off over six pitchers before working the pitcher for a walk. She stole second as Marion struck out. Barnes flew out to center field. Marsden walked on four straight pitches. Crawford sliced a single through the right side to score Saban. Bezjak followed up with a single to left field to drive in Marsden. Frank came up and tattooed the ball. Unfortunately, it had eyes for the third baseman who collected it and calmly touched third for the final out.

Towson's leadoff runner reached on a Nunez's error but Barnes's throw eliminated her on the steal attempt. A strikeout and a soft liner were the final outs.

Seventh Inning

The Red Flash loaded the bases but couldn't push across the winning run. Nagle led off with a walk, Ashley Wruble (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) pinch hit and sacrificed her to second. Saban was unintentionally intentionally walked. Marion worked the pitcher over for a walk to load the bases with Red Flash. Barnes lifted a fly ball to left field, Nagle raced home but the throw beat her and the catcher was waiting with the tag.

Game Two Recap

First Inning

Saint Francis attempted to strike first but Saban grounded out, Marion reached on an error, but a line drive double play eliminated the opportunity.

Rachel Marsden (Erie, Pa./McDowell) started in the circle. USC Upstate drew first blood. A leadoff single, a stolen base, and a grounder advanced the hitter to third. Another single plated the run. That runner was eliminated on a stolen base attempt. A walk followed but Marsden remained in control by striking out the batter.

Second Inning
Tayven Rousseau (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) flew out to center field and Marsden was hit by a pitch. Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School) lined out but Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) singled through the middle. Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) walked to load the bases. Ashley Wruble (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) drew a consecutive walk to tie the game. Saban lifted a fly ball to left field for the third out but the score was deadlocked at 1-1.

USC Upstate regained the lead in their frame of the second by following a left field double with a right field single. A strikeout and a grounder limited the damage to one run but the Spartans regained the lead.

Third Inning

Marion singled to start off the inning, Barnes tried to sacrifice her over to second base but popped up instead. Rousseau singled through the left side of the infield. Marsden popped up to the first baseman and Bezjak struck out.

USC Upstate singled to start, followed up with a walk, and then strung three consecutive hits to score three runs to increase their lead to 5-1.

Fourth Inning

The Red Flash couldn't generate any offense as the batters went down 1-2-3.

USC Upstate threatened with a walk and a hit by pitch but Marsden induced an infield fly and a lazy fly ball to center field.

Fifth Inning

Saban started off the inning with an infield single after narrowly missing on a double as her ball sliced foul. Marion lined out to center field. Barnes doubled and Saban advanced to third. Rousseau struck out but Marsden drew the walk to load the bases. Bezjak battled mightily before going down swinging.

USC Upstate commenced the inning with a single, stole a base, and singled and stole again. After the events, Christina Clark (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) entered the circle for the Red Flash. A suicide squeeze scored a run to make it 6-1. Clark hunkered down and recorded three straight outs to end the inning.

Sixth Inning

Saint Francis went down in order 1-2-3 as none of the batted balls could find open space.

USC Upstate taking advantage of a leadoff hit by pitch used a single and a walk to set up a double that drove in two runs for an 8-1 lead. Clark avoided the run rule by forcing a grounder to Bezjak who calmly stepped on the bag for the third out.

Seventh Inning

The Red Flash tried to generate some offense but Saban fouled out, Marion grounded out, and Barnes went down swinging.

Up Next

The Red Flash return to action with four games at the Campbell Invitational. First game is against Howard on Friday at 10:00 am.