ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Saint Francis University softball team (8-1) wrapped up a perfect 5-0 weekend at the Winthrop Eagle Classic with two wins on Sunday. The Red Flash beat UIC by a 4-3 margin in the first game of the day, winning it eight innings. SFU wrapped up its weekend early with a 9-1 five-inning win against College of Charleston to extend its winning streak to eight games. The 8-1 start ties the best start in program history since the 1989 season when the Red Flash also began 8-1.
 
THOUGHTS
Head Coach Jessica O'Donnell: "I'm ecstatic with the way our team played this weekend. Everyone contributed in one way or another and when you have that, great things can happen. Another phenomenal pitching performance from our pitching staff, our defense was sharp and our offense was timely. I absolutely love the fight in this team."

Senior Mekenzie Saban: "This weekend I focused on doing whatever I can to help our team and just staying relaxed. Our team is so energetic and close and that makes it easier to get the job done."
 

GAME ONE
Saint Francis 4, UIC 3 (8 inn.)
Records: Saint Francis (7-1), UIC (2-2)
Location: Eagle Field (Rock Hill, S.C.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Grace Vesco pitched the complete game to earn her fifth win in the circle. She gave up three runs on five hits and struck out 10.

Mekenzie Saban led off the game with a double but was stranded at first to end the first inning.

UIC took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a lead-off walk, fielder's choice and single before Vesco ended the inning with her second strikeout.

The Red Flash left the bases loaded in the top of the second. Sydney Baker hit a two-out double. Ashley Orischak was hit by a pitch and both stole a base to advance to second and third. Brittney Crawford drew the walk to load the bases but SFU was unable to get a hit to tie the game.

Jordan Pietrzykoski tied the game in the third inning with a lead-off home run. Tayven Rousseau drew a walk and advanced to second on a ground ball. Lexi Hernandez singled to score Rousseau and give the Red Flash a 2-1 lead.

UIC tied the game at two with a home run of its own in the bottom of the third.

Crawford answered with a lead-off home run in the top of the fourth to give SFU back the lead, 3-2. Lindsay Ward hit a two-out single and Rousseau drew a second walk, forcing the Flames to change pitchers with two outs and runners on the corners. A fly-out ended the inning with runners on the corners.

The Red Flash left the bases loaded for the second time of the game in the top of the fifth inning after Baker walked and Orischak and Saban were hit by pitches.

Saint Francis held the 3-2 lead until the bottom of the sixth when UIC tied the game on back-to-back doubles. The game remained tied at three after seven complete innings and SFU required extra innings for the second time this weekend.

Crawford was placed on second to begin the eighth inning. Saban brought her around with a lead-off single to give Saint Francis a 4-3 lead.

Vesco struck out the final two batters of the game with a runner on third to end the game and earn the win.
 
GAME NOTES

• This is the fourth game of the season that the Red Flash has hit more than one home run.
• This is Saban's third double of the season and third in the last four games.
• Baker hit her first collegiate double and tallied her second multi-hit game of the season.
• This is Pietrzykoski's second-straight game with a home run.
• This is Rousseau's first multi-walk game of the season.
• Vesco totaled at least 10 strikeouts for the second time this season and has a perfect 5-0 record.

 
GAME TWO
Saint Francis 9, College of Charleston 1 (5 inn.)
Records: Saint Francis (8-1), College of Charleston (1-6)
Location: Terry Field (Rock Hill, S.C.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rachel Marsden started the game in the circle for the Red Flash. She pitched one and a third innings, giving up one run on three hits. Christina Clark replaced Marsden in the circle in the top of the second inning with one out and two runners on base. Clark pitched the remaining three and two-thirds innings, giving up no runs on one hit and no walks.

Despite College of Charleston getting the first hit of the game it was Saint Francis who scored first, taking an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Pietrzykoski singled first and then the bases were loaded as Ward was hit by a pitch and Rousseau walked. Hernandez drove Pietrzykoski home with a ground ball.

CofC tied the game on a hit-by-pitch and a pair of singles which prompted Clark to enter the game to pitch. The SFU defense made back-to-back plays to end the inning tied.

The Red Flash strung together five runs in the bottom of the second to take a 6-1 lead. Baker reached first on a fielding error and Orischak walked to put runners on first and second with no outs. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Crawford. Baker scored on a single from Saban and Orischak on a single from Pietrzykoski. Ward scored two runs with the Red Flash's first triple of the season. Ward scored the final run of the inning on a single off the bat of Rousseau.
SFU added a run in the third to extend the lead to 7-1. Baker led off with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Orischak. Crawford scored Baker with a sacrifice fly.

One more Red Flash run in the fourth inning stretched the margin to 8-1. Rousseau hit a one-out double, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Allyn Bezjak.

Saint Francis wrapped up the game early for the second time this weekend as Saban hit an RBI single to score Orischak from second. Orischak led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single from Crawford.
 
GAME NOTES

• Saint Francis earned its second win of the weekend in less than seven innings.
• Saban ended back-to-back games with an RBI single.
• Saban recorded her fourth-straight multi-hit game, leading the offense at 3-of-4 with two RBI.
• Rousseau (2-of-2) and Pietrzykoski (2-of-3) also recorded multi-hit games.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Francis travels to Marshall next weekend for a round robin. On Saturday, the Red Flash faces Valpo at 9:30 a.m. and Marshall at 1:30 p.m. On Sunday, SFU plays Valpo again at 9:30 a.m. and then Marshall immediately following at approximately 11:30 a.m.
 
Follow Saint Francis Softball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get up-to-date information and a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Flash program.
 
To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.