LORETTO, Pa. – The Saint Francis softball team (19-6, 4-0 NEC) wrapped up its series against Wagner with two more shutouts as SFU earned a shutout in all four games this weekend against the Seahawks. The Red Flash ended the first game in five innings with a 10-0 shutout and followed up with a 17-0 win in five innings in the second game.
 
THOUGHTS
Head Coach Jessica O'Donnell: "I have to tip my cap to everyone on our team for their performance this weekend. The dugout was on fire with energy through all four games, the defense was solid, pitching was impressive with four shutouts and the offense came alive today. I was proud to see our team make adjustments all around and not let the weather play a factor. I think the offense was able to come alive because we have been preaching to find ways to get on base and our players stepped up to produce in all sorts of situations. Pitching has been phenomenal all year, so it's no surprise to me to see their performance this weekend. I'm excited to see this team continue to get stronger."
 

GAME ONE
Saint Francis 10, Wagner 0 (5 inn.)
Records: Saint Francis (18-6, 3-0 NEC), Wagner (6-5, 2-5 NEC)
Location: Red Flash Softball Field (Loretto, Pa.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Grace Vesco pitched the complete game for the Red Flash, earning her seventh shutout of the season. Vesco gave up only one hit compared to seven strikeouts.

The Red Flash took the early lead with five runs in the first inning. Mekenzie Saban led off with a double and scored on an Allyn Bezjak batted ball. Tayven Rousseau followed with an RBI single to score Bezjak. Jordan Frank hit an RBI double to score Rousseau. The final two runs of the inning came on a single down the left-field line by Brittney Crawford.

Wagner left the bases loaded to end the second and changed pitchers before the bottom of the second inning.

Saint Francis added to its lead in the second inning. Saban and Jordan Pietrzykoski led off with infield singles before Saban scored on a Lexi Hernandez sacrifice fly. Pietrzykoski scored on a Rousseau single after stealing third base to increase the SFU lead to 7-0.

The Seahawks left the bases loaded again in the third as Vesco ended the threat with her sixth strikeout of the game.

The Red Flash increased its lead to 10-0 with three runs in the third inning. Frank led off with a bunt single and scored on an Ashley Orischak single. Saban hit her first triple of the season to score Orischak. The final run of the inning scored on a ground ball from Pietrzykoski.
 
GAME NOTES

• This is Saban's ninth double of the season and her eighth multi-hit game of the season.
• This is Frank's third double of the season.
• This is Frank's first multi-RBI and multi-hit game of the season.
• This is Rousseau's eighth multi-hit game and fifth multi-RBI game of the season.

 
GAME TWO
Saint Francis 17, Wagner 0 (5 inn.)
Records: Saint Francis (19-6, 4-0 NEC), Wagner (6-6, 2-6 NEC)
Location: Red Flash Softball Field (Loretto, Pa.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Christina Clark pitched the entire game to earn her first shutout of the season. Clark gave up only two hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Saban again led off with a double. Pietrzykoski, Hernandez and Bezjak all hit singles with Pietrzykoski and Bezjak picking up RBI's. The bases were loaded on walks drawn by Rousseau and Sydney Baker but a fly out and a runner leaving early ended the inning with the Red Flash holding a 2-0 lead.

The Red Flash put together a monstrous eight-run third inning to take a 10-0 lead after three. Pietrzykoski drew the lead-off walk and scored on a double from Hernandez. Bezjak singled and Lauren Aubry came into the game to pinch run, stealing second. Hernandez scored on a sacrifice fly from Rousseau while Aubry scored on a wild pitch. Baker reached base on an error, stole second and advanced to third on that wild pitch. Frank reached first on a bunt single that saw Baker score. Crawford doubled to advance Frank to third and the bases were loaded as Orischak drew a walk. Saban singled and Pietrzykoski drew a walk, each bringing in a run. Hernandez brought in two runs with a single to cap scoring for the inning.

Saint Francis scored seven runs in the fourth inning to increase its lead to 17-0. The Red Flash loaded the bases with no outs on a Baker single, Frank reaching base on a Wagner fielding error and a Crawford walk. Baker scored on a wild pitch and Orischak loaded the bases once again by drawing a walk. Saban and Bezjak hit RBI singles and Hernandez earned another RBI on a fielder's choice to score one run per play. Rousseau hit a three-run home run to conclude scoring for the game.

GAME NOTES

• This is Rousseau's fifth home run of the season as she leads the team. This is her seventh multi-RBI game this season.
• This is Saban's second double of the day and 10^th of the season. This is her ninth multi-hit game and fifth multi-RBI game of the season.
• This is Hernandez's fourth double of the season. This is her sixth multi-hit game and fifth multi-RBI game this season.
• This is Crawford's second double of the season.
• This is Pietrzykoski's third multi-RBI game of the season.
• This is Bezjak's second multi-hit game and third multi-RBI game this season.

 
UP AHEAD
Saint Francis travels to Merrimack for a four-game series on Thursday and Friday. The Red Flash will play its doubleheader on Thursday beginning at noon. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m.
 
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To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.