What You Need to Know

» With the help of a five-run fifth inning, the Red Flash softball team opened its 2022 campaign with a win at the Elon Softball Classic, defeating the IUPUI Jaguars in five innings, 9-0.

» Grace Vesco pitched a complete game shutout in her season debut and held the Jaguars to three hits while collecting eight strikeouts .

» Jordan Frank and Mekenzie Saban led the way on offense, collecting two hits each. Jordan Pietrzykoski would add one as well.

» Olivia Ulam notched her first collegiate RBI in the fourth inning.

» IUPUI's Kendal Calvert tallied a hit and a walk against the Red Flash.

Flash Quotes

» "For our first game out, I'm very pleased with how we performed. Any time you can score nine runs in the first game is a good showing. The only thing I'd like to see more of is us scoring throughout the game and not depending on scoring here and there." - Head Coach Jess O'Donnell

» "All winter we were playing against each other, so being able to play together and get the win today was really fun." - Junior Pitcher Grace Vesco

» "I got into little hiccups here and there but I was just taking deep breaths and having my teammates behind me and helping me get out of those jams helped." - Junior Pitcher Grace Vesco

» "We were out there ready to attack, and we came into this tournament thinking we were going 5-0. We play every team as hard as we can, so it doesn't matter what's on the front of their jerseys, we're still going to come at them as hard as we can." - Graduate Student Outfielder Jordan Frank

Turning Points of the Game

Saint Francis established dominance early after compiling a three-run lead in the first inning, supported by a hit, two walks and four total stolen bases. Despite allowing two baserunners in the bottom half, Grace Vesco struck out the final two batters to prevent the Jaguars from getting on the board.

In the second, Saint Francis added an insurance run off a fielding error by IUPUI.

The Red Flash offense was held in check in the third inning, but exploded for five runs in the top of the fourth, which was kick-started by a sacrifice fly from Olivia Ulam.

Vesco and the Red Flash defense would seal the win throughout the final inning and a half.

Flash Nuggets

Four Red Flash hitters tallied an RBI in the season opener, including Olivia Ulam, who notched her first career RBI with a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

With her two hits today, Saban extends her hitting streak to nine games. The streak started May 8 against LIU and carried into the offseason.

Up Next

Saint Francis returns to Hunt Softball Park tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader against Appalachian St. and Elon. First pitches are slated for 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively.