EMMITSBURG, Md. – The Saint Francis softball team (28-7, 13-1 NEC) began its midweek series at Mount St. Mary's (12-21, 5-10 NEC) with a doubleheader sweep. The Red Flash earned its eighth shutout in conference play with a 5-0 win in game one before holding off the Mountaineers for a 4-3 win in game two.
 

THOUGHTS
Head Coach Jessica O'Donnell: "It's always important to try to get out in front on the road. Mount St. Mary's is tough and they will fight until the last out. This was big for us today, but we need to come out stronger tomorrow on all cylinders. We scored early, played strong defense and our pitchers attacked their batters. I was happy with the way we played today, but we'll need to be tough tomorrow."

Sophomore pitcher Grace Vesco: "All my pitches were strong today and it benefitted me. My mentality was to attack the batters and get three outs and know my defense is behind me."
 
GAME ONE
Saint Francis 5, Mount St. Mary's 0
Records: Saint Francis (27-7, 12-1 NEC), Mount St. Mary's (12-20, 5-9 NEC)
Location: Our Lady of the Meadows Field (Emmitsburg, Md.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Grace Vesco pitched the complete-game shutout for the Red Flash. Vesco allowed only three hits, compared to striking out six batters.

The Red Flash tallied a run in the top of the first to open scoring for the game. Mekenzie Saban hit a lead-off single. Jordan Pietrzykoski reached on a fielder's choice play and advanced to second on a Lexi Hernandez single. Pietrzykoski stole third and scored on a ground ball off the bat of Allyn Bezjak.

Saint Francis increased its lead to 4-0 with three runs in the top of the fourth inning. Bezjak led off with a single as Ashley Wruble came into the game to pinch run. Lauren Aubry doubled to score Wruble from first. Aubry advanced to third on a single from Brittney Crawford. After Crawford stole second, Madeline Barnes hit a single to score both Aubry and Crawford.

The score remained 4-0 until the top of the seventh when Saban hit a solo shot to increase SFU's lead to 5-0.

GAME NOTES

• This is Vesco's 10^th shutout of the season and fifth against an NEC opponent.
• This is Saban's third home run and 15^th multi-hit game of the season.
• This is Aubry's second double of the season.
• This is Barnes' third multi-hit and multi-RBI game of the season.
• Six different Red Flash players recorded a hit.

 
GAME TWO
Saint Francis 4, Mount St. Mary's 3
Records: Saint Francis (28-7, 13-1 NEC), Mount St. Mary's (12-21, 5-10 NEC)
Location: Our Lady of the Meadows Field (Emmitsburg, Md.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rachel Marsden started the game in the circle for the Red Flash. Marsden gave up three runs on five hits while striking out three batters. Vesco entered the game as relief to start the bottom of the sixth inning and pitched the final two innings, giving up no hits while totaling three strikeouts.

Saint Francis took an early 2-0 in the top of the first on four hits. Pietrzykoski hit a one-out double and scored on a single from Bezjak. Tayven Rousseau and Jordan Frank followed with singles as Frank drove in the second run of the inning.

The Red Flash tacked on a run in the second. Crawford hit a lead-off single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Barnes. Saban hit a single to score Crawford from second. Hernandez also hit a single but was stranded on base to end the inning.

SFU extended its lead to 4-0 in the third inning. Bezjak drew a lead-off walk, Rousseau was hit by a pitch and Frank singled to load the bases with no outs and force the Mountaineers to make a pitching change. Aubry walked in a run but three-straight outs saw the Red Flash leave the bases loaded.

Mount St. Mary's cut the Saint Francis lead to 4-2 with two runs in the fourth on a walk, a single and an RBI double.

The Mountaineers trimmed the Red Flash's lead to one with a run in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out single and triple.

Vesco and the Red Flash defense retired six-straight MSM batters to preserve the victory.

GAME NOTES

• This is Pietrzykoski's fifth double of the season.
• This is Frank's third multi-hit game of the season.
• This is Bezjak's fourth multi-hit game of the season.
• Seven Red Flash players recorded a hit.
• This is the first save of the season for any Red Flash pitcher.
• This is Marsden's 10^th win of the season.

 
UP NEXT
The Red Flash and Mountaineers conclude the series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday.
 
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To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.