NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Saint Francis softball team (21-6, 6-0 NEC) opened its series at Merrimack (6-10, 4-4 NEC) on Friday with a doubleheader sweep. The Red Flash earned a 5-2 win in game one before closing out the day with a 6-1 win in game two. Rachel Marsden threw a no-hitter in the second game, the first of her collegiate career.
 

THOUGHTS
Head Coach Jessica O'Donnell: "I thought Rachel pitched so well. She was in the zone and I am pleased that our players didn't let the cold affect their game. Even though we weren't at our best defensively today, anytime a pitcher pitches a no-hitter you have to credit the defense as well, so I was glad they played strong for the most part. Offensively, we have to continue to produce runs as the game goes on and we need to do a better job of that tomorrow."

Sophomore pitcher/infielder Rachel Marsden on pitching a no-hitter: "It feels really good. I had good command on my pitches and I fed off the run support from my offense."
 
GAME ONE
Saint Francis 5, Merrimack 2
Records: Saint Francis (20-6, 5-0 NEC), Merrimack (6-9, 4-3 NEC)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field (North Andover, Mass.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Grace Vesco pitched the complete game in the circle for the Red Flash, earning her 12^th win of the season. Vesco gave up two runs on three hits while striking out seven.

Saint Francis batted through the lineup in the first inning to take an early 4-0 lead. Mekenzie Saban led off with a walk and stole second. Saban advanced to third on a Jordan Pietrzykoski single. Pietrzykoski stole second before Allyn Bezjak was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Tayven Rousseau drove in the first run with a single to right field. Sydney Baker drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in Pietrzykoski. Runs also scored on an RBI single from Jordan Frank and a fielder's choice that saw Brittney Crawford safe at first.

Merrimack tallied a single run in the bottom of the first to bring the margin to 4-1. Vesco began the inning with a strikeout but a single and a walk put runners on first and second. The Warriors scored from second as the Red Flash got the out at first on the bunt attempt.

The score remained 4-1 until the top of the fourth when the Red Flash added a run. Saban hit a two-out single and scored on a double from Pietrzykoski.

The Warriors tallied a run in the fifth on a pair of singles to cut the SFU lead to 5-2, a score that would stand through the remainder of the game.

GAME NOTES

• This is Pietrzykoski's third double of the season and eighth multi-hit game of the season.
• Pietrzykoski extended her hit-streak to 13-straight games.
• This is Vesco's 12^th win of the season.
• Six Red Flash players recorded a hit.

 
GAME TWO
Saint Francis 6, Merrimack 1
Records: Saint Francis (21-6, 6-0 NEC), Merrimack (6-10, 4-4 NEC)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field (North Andover, Mass.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rachel Marsden pitched a no-hitter in the complete game. The run was unearned as she totaled seven strikeouts through seven innings of work.

The Red Flash struck first with a run in the top of the first. Saban reached first on an error to lead off the game. Pietrzykoski drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Lexi Hernandez brought Saban home with an RBI single to the outfield. Runners were left on second and third to end the inning.

Saint Francis added four runs in the second to take a 5-0 lead. Frank drew a lead off walk and stole second. Madeline Barnes hit her first home run of the season to straight center to score two. Saban doubled and advanced to third on a single from Pietrzykoski. Saban scored on a ground ball from Hernandez. Bezjak doubled to score Pietrzykoski to cap scoring for the inning.

Merrimack changed pitchers to begin the fifth inning. Bezjak and Rousseau walked to begin the inning but SFU left two on base to end the inning.

The Red Flash added a run in the top of the seventh to lead 6-0. Rousseau drew a one-out walk, stole second and advanced to third on a ground ball. Frank hit her fourth double of the season to score Rousseau.

The Warriors scored their run in the bottom of the seventh on a Red Flash fielding error.

GAME NOTES

• This is Barnes' first home run of the season.
• This is Saban's 11^th double of the season and 10^th multi-hit game of the season.
• Pietrzykoski extended her hit streak to 14-straight games.
• This is Bezjak's second double of the season.
• This is Hernandez's sixth multi-RBI game of the season.
• This is Barnes' second multi-RBI game of the season.
• This is Frank's fourth double of the season.
• For the second game today, six SFU players recorded a hit.

 
UP NEXT
The Red Flash and Warriors conclude the series on Saturday. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 10 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.