HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – The Saint Francis softball team (9-2) began the weekend at the Thundering Herd Round Robin with a 1-0 shutout of Bowling Green (7-7) and a 2-0 loss against Marshall (5-0). Sophomore pitcher Grace Vesco threw her second no-hitter of the season in the win against BG as Saint Francis improved to 9-1, the best start in program history.
 

GAME ONE
Saint Francis 1, Bowling Green 0
Records: Saint Francis (9-1), Bowling Green (7-7)
Location: Dot Hicks Field (Huntington, W. Va.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Grace Vesco pitched the complete game, earning her second no-hitter of the season and third shutout of the season. Vesco struck out nine batters, including the side in the top of the seventh to wrap up the game.

Ashley Orischak got the first hit of the game for either team in the bottom of the third inning but the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning when Saint Francis broke the scoreless tie. Lindsay Ward hit a two-out single and Tayven Rousseau was hit by a pitch. Lexi Hernandez brought Ward around from second with an RBI single to give SFU a 1-0 lead heading into the top of the seventh inning.

GAME NOTES

• This is Vesco's second no-hitter of the season as she improved her record to 6-0.
• This is Hernandez's fourth-straight game with an RBI.

 
GAME TWO
Saint Francis 0, Marshall 2
Records: Saint Francis (9-2), Marshall (5-0)
Location: Dot Hicks Field (Huntington, W. Va.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rachel Marsden pitched the complete game for the Red Flash. Marsden allowed two runs on six hits and recorded four strikeouts.

The Red Flash got the first two hits of the game, doubles from seniors Jordan Frank and Mekenzie Saban, but it was the Thundering Herd who got onto the scoreboard first. Marshall hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning to take a 1-0 lead.

The Thundering Herd loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth on a single, fielder's choice and a walk but Marsden forced an easy ground ball to end the inning and keep the deficit at one.

The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning when Marshall hit a lead-off home run to extend its lead to 2-0 entering the seventh. The Red Flash couldn't score in the top of the seventh to end the game.

GAME NOTES

• This is Saban's team-leading fifth double of the season.

 
UP NEXT
The Red Flash wraps up the weekend with games against Valpo and Marshall on Sunday. Saint Francis plays Valparaiso first, at 9:30 a.m., with the game against Marshall immediately following, at approximately 11:30 a.m.
 
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To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.