NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Saint Francis softball team (23-6, 8-0 NEC) concluded its series at Merrimack (6-12, 4-6 NEC) with a doubleheader sweep on Saturday to earn all four wins in the series. The Red Flash offense erupted for a season-high 21 runs in the a 21-3 five-inning win in game one. Saint Francis took game two by a 4-1 margin as Lauren Aubry hit two home runs.
 

THOUGHTS
Head Coach Jessica O'Donnell: "I think we played together as a team this weekend. This team is special and doesn't quit or back down. I'm excited for our ladies and so impressed with their hard work and energy this weekend. From pitching, to defense, to offense, we came to play and I can't wait to see what else we can do this season."

Sophomore utility player/catcher Lauren Aubry: "It felt great. I just wanted to do what's best for the team. We talked about making the most of our opportunities and playing for those who can't."

GAME ONE
Saint Francis 21, Merrimack 3 (5 inn.)
Records: Saint Francis (22-6, 7-0 NEC), Merrimack (6-11, 4-5 NEC)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field (North Andover, Mass.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Christina Clark pitched four complete innings, giving up three runs on six hits while striking out two. Grace Vesco entered the game as relief to begin the fifth inning and gave up no runs.

The Red Flash batted around in the first inning as it capitalized with seven runs. SFU loaded the bases with a lead-off single from Mekenzie Saban and walks from Jordan Pietrzykoski and Lexi Hernandez. The first run scored on an RBI single from Allyn Bezjak. Tayven Rousseau was hit by a pitch to drive in a run. Jordan Frank and Sydney Baker each picked up an RBI with a ground ball from Frank and a single from Baker. Brittney Crawford was hit by a pitch and Madeline Barnes walked to load the bases again. Baker scored on a wild pitch before Merrimack made a pitching change with two outs. Saban hit a double to score the final two runs of the inning.

The score remained 7-0 until the Warriors hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth.

Saint Francis responded with 14 runs in the top of the fifth to increase its lead to 21-3 as 18 batters had a turn in the box. The Red Flash loaded the bases on a Merrimack fielding error, a Saban walk and a Pietrzykoski single before a single from Hernandez scored two. The bases were loaded again as Bezjak drew a walk to set up a grand slam off Rousseau's bat. Frank singled before the Warriors changed pitchers. Lauren Aubry singled and Emily Nunez drew a walk to load the bases. Two runs scored on a fielder's choice from Barnes that saw everyone safe. A Saban single and Pietrzykoski double each brought in a run as did a walk from Rousseau and a wild pitch. The final two runs were scored on Aubry's second hit of the inning, a double.

Vesco entered the game to begin the fifth. After the lead-off runner reached base, a fielder's choice and a double play ended the game in five innings.

GAME NOTES

• The Red Flash offense scored a season-high 21 runs.
• This is Rousseau's team-leading sixth home run of the season.
• This is the ninth multi-hit and eighth multi-RBI game for Rousseau this season.
• Rousseau totaled a season-high six RBI.
• This is Saban's 12^th double of the season.
• This is Saban's 11^th multi-hit game and sixth multi-RBI game of the season.
• Pietrzykoski extended her hit streak to 15-straight games.
• This is the seventh multi-RBI game of the season for Hernandez.
• This is Pietrzykoski's fourth double and ninth multi-hit game of the season.
• This is Aubry's first multi-hit and multi-RBI game of the season.
• Nine different Red Flash players recorded a hit.

 
GAME TWO
Saint Francis 4, Merrimack 1
Records: Saint Francis (23-6, 8-0 NEC), Merrimack (6-12, 4-6 NEC)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field (North Andover, Mass.)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rachel Marsden pitched the complete game for the Red Flash. Marsden struck out nine batters while giving up only one run on no walks and five hits.
Marsden struck out three batters in the first as Merrimack left a runner on first to end the inning.

Merrimack scored first for the first time in the series with a lead-off solo home run in the bottom of the second but Aubry tied the game with a lead-off home run in the top of the third.

Saint Francis broke the tie in the top of the fifth with a run to take a 2-1 lead. The Red Flash loaded the bases on singles from Aubry, Barnes and Saban before Aubry scored on a Pietrzykoski single. SFU left the bases loaded after a ball to the outfield and a fielder's choice.

The Red Flash defense forced the Warriors down in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth inning.

SFU added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning on home runs from Aubry and Barnes.

GAME NOTES

• This is the Red Flash's fifth game this season with more than one home run.
• Pietrzykoski extended her hit streak to 16-straight games.
• Aubry hit her first two home runs of the season.
• This is Aubry's second-straight multi-hit game and multi-RBI game.
• This is Barnes' second home run of the season.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Francis returns home to host Fairleigh Dickinson for a four-game mid-week series. The Red Flash and Knights start the series with a doubleheader on Wednesday, beginning at noon.
 
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To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.