WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

» The Red Flash Softball team split its doubleheader Saturday afternoon, taking their first game against Appalachian St., 3-1, but falling in the second to Elon, 3-2.

» Jordan Frank and Jordan Pietrzykoski posted multi-hit performances against Appalachian St. Both went 2-for-3 with Frank adding a triple.

» Rachel Marsden had a day to remember. She tossed a complete game against Appalachian St., giving up just one run and striking out five, and hit her first home run of the season against Elon in Game Two.

» Mekenzie Saban strung together three hits and a RBI between both games.

» Grace Vesco carried a no-hitter against Elon into the sixth inning.

» Elon's Gabi Schaal gave the Phoenix the lead with a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning of Game Two.

FLASH QUOTES

» "It was a good start to the day, but not a good finish. We took advantage of Appalachian State's mistakes, Rachel pitched a good game and it was a great team win. The second game against Elon was rough. We have to be better and I want to see a little more heart from our team going into tomorrow, and I know they'll show up." - Head Coach Jess O'Donnell

» "Just the ultimate teammate in my opinion and a great leader. Her pitching's been phenomenal. She came back from winter break and you could see the desire in her eyes and in her work. She's been really impressive and a tough athlete that wants to contribute and she will find a way if she can." - Head Coach Jess O'Donnell

» "There were a lot of ups and downs throughout the game, even the first game. I was not perfect by any means, but my teammates had my back the entire time and the energy was good, which I let carry me over into Game Two." - Junior Pitcher Rachel Marsden

TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME - GAME 1

» The Red Flash capitalized on two Mountaineer errors in the third inning and took an early 2-0 lead.

» Jordan Frank prevented Appalachian St. from scoring in the third with a full-extension diving catch in center.

» Appalachian St. got in the scoring column following an RBI single in the sixth by catcher Baylee Morton, however Rachel Marsden forced the following hitters into two outs after, stranding the tying run.

» Mekenzie Saban added an insurance run in the top of the seventh with a single to center field.

» After Kam Caldwell singled to start the bottom of the seventh, Rachel Marsden gathered three quick outs to end the game.

TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME - GAME 2

» After both teams held each other scoreless through the first inning, Rachel Marsden gave the Red Flash the lead in the second with a solo home run off the foul pole in left field.

» Both teams held each other in check until the bottom of the fifth, when Elon's Gabi Schaal launched a two-run home run to left field, breaking up Grace Vesco's no-hitter and giving the Phoenix a lead.

» Elon added an insurance run off a single to center field by Keagan Goldwait a few hitters later.

» Saint Francis would attempt to come back in the seventh. Jordan Pietrzykoski and Lindsay Ward each singled in the inning, however Elon would strike out the following hitter, ending the game.

FLASH NUGGETS

» Jordan Frank notched her first multi-hit game of the year after going 2-for-3 with a triple against Appalachian St. She's also gone 5-for-10 at the plate through the first three games this season.

» Olivia Ulam collected her first collegiate hit during the sixth inning of the first game.

» With her solo home run in Game Two, Rachel Marsden becomes the first Red Flash hitter to hit a home run this season.

» Lindsay Ward collected her first hit of the season in the fifth inning of Game Two.

UP NEXT

» Saint Francis closes out the Elon Softball Classic with a Sunday doubleheader against IUPUI and Appalachian State. First pitches are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.