LORETTO, Pa. – The Saint Francis softball team (17-6, 2-0 NEC) opened conference play with two shutouts against Wagner (6-4, 2-4 NEC). The Red Flash won game one by a 3-0 margin and game two by a 1-0 margin as Grace Vesco and Rachel Marsden each pitched a shutout. Brittney Crawford's home run in game two proved to be the difference.
 

THOUGHTS
Head Coach Jessica O'Donnell: "I thought our team pulled out two tough wins today. Grace and Rachel pitched very well and our defense was sharp. We do need to do a better job offensively of making adjustments at the plate, but I have no doubt our team will respond. Great way to start conference play."
 
GAME ONE
Saint Francis 3, Wagner 0
Records: Saint Francis (16-6, 1-0 NEC), Wagner (6-3, 2-3 NEC)
Location: Red Flash Softball Field (Loretto, Pa.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Grace Vesco pitched the complete game in the circle for the Red Flash as she earned her sixth shutout of the season. Vesco gave up five hits and two walks, compared to a career-high 13 strikeouts.

Neither team had more than four at-bats in an inning until Saint Francis broke the scoreless tie with all three of its runs in the third inning. Jordan Frank led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Brittney Crawford. Frank scored the first run of the game on a Mekenzie Saban single. Jordan Pietrzykoski hit a single that scored Saban. Pietrzykoski advanced to second on the throw and third on a Wagner fielding error. She was brought home on a sacrifice fly from Lexi Hernandez.

The Seahawks got base runners in the fourth and seventh innings. Wagner was able to load the bases in the seventh inning on a trio of singles but a strikeout from Vesco ended the game.

GAME NOTES

• This is Vesco's sixth shutout of the season.
• Vesco struck out a career-high 13 batters.
• SFU's four hits came from four different players.
• Bezjak hit her first double of the season.

 
GAME TWO
Saint Francis 1, Wagner 0
Records: Saint Francis (17-6, 2-0 NEC), Wagner (6-4, 2-4 NEC)
Location: Red Flash Softball Field (Loretto, Pa.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rachel Marsden pitched the complete game to earn her first shutout of the season. She gave up four hits and one walk while striking out five batters.
Each team got its first hit of the game in the second inning but neither could advance past second base.

Crawford's home run to lead off the fifth inning proved to be the lone run of the game.

Wagner strung together a pair of singles in the seventh inning but a Marsden strikeout ended the ball game.

GAME NOTES

• This is Crawford's third home run of the season.
• Five different Red Flash players had a hit.

 
UP AHEAD
The Red Flash and Seahawks play a doubleheader again on Sunday with first pitch scheduled for noon.
 
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To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.