LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University softball took both games of their first road conference doubleheader against Central Connecticut. Pitcher Grace Vesco threw a no-hitter in the second game in a 2-0 win after a 13-2 victory in game one.
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
» Vesco threw a no-hitter and allowed only two baserunners, both walks, with 11 strikeouts in a game two victory.
» Olivia Ulam went 5-for-7 with three runs scored, two doubles, one home run and two RBIs.
» Ashley Wruble hit .500 with two runs scored, one double, one home run and five RBIs.
» Rachel Marsden pitched a complete-game with two runs on two hits and 12 strikeouts in the game one victory.
» Central Connecticut's Bri Walker hit a solo home run in game one. 

FLASH QUOTES
"Getting ahead in the counts makes it easier and the curve was working well today to keep them off balance. My teammates are ultimately the ones who make it happen with thier play in the field. Their energy throughout the whole game keeps me motivated and confident." - Junior pitcher Vesco on her fourth-career no-hitter

"Going into the first game we had a lot of motivation to win and get ahead early. Even though we didn't score as many runs in the second game, I think we did a good job keeping the motivation and energy. It was an amazing feeling to hit my first home run and I couldn't do it without my teammates - I've been waiting for this moment and it felt good to finally hit one." - Freshman infielder Ulam on the team's performance and her first-career home run.

"Conference play definitely brings a different team out of us and I think they are really starting to come together as a team. They are starting to click on all cylinders and I'm really proud of them for that." - Head coach Jessica O'Donnell on the team's doubleheader sweep.  
 
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME – GAME 1
» Saint Francis loaded the bases with no outs to start the game before Jordan Frank singled and Marsden walked to take an early 2-0 lead. The Red Flash scored two more on a Central Connecticut error before Wruble capped off the inning with a three-run home run.
» With a 7-0 lead after the first, Saint Francis scored two more runs on RBI singles from Marsden and Wruble.
» Central Connecticut scored their first run of the game on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the second, but Marsden limited the damage to just that run.
» Wruble hit an RBI groundout in the fourth to extend the lead to 10-1 before Central Connecticut's Walker hit a solo home run to right field.
» Ulam doubled to score Mekenzie Saban before Lindsay Ward extended the lead to 13-2 with a three-run home run in the fifth inning. With Central Connecticut unable to score in the bottom half, Saint Francis won via the run rule.
 
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME – GAME 2
» Through the first three innings of game two, Ulam produced the only hit while Saban and two Blue Devils' players drew walks.
» In the fourth inning, Ulam broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run – the first home run of her collegiate career.
» Saint Francis scored its second run of the game after Saban hit a double that drove home Wruble and gave the Red Flash a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning.
» Vesco retired the final 13 batters she faced in the game to clinch her fourth-career no-hitter and Saint Francis' 2-0 victory in game two.

Flash Nuggets
» Vesco threw the fourth no-hitter of her career and first since she no-hit Sacred Heart in the NEC Tournament on May 13, 2021. She reached the 300-strikeout milestone during the first inning of game two and her 11 strikeouts mark a season-high.
» Ulam's home run was the first of her career and she is tied for the team lead with 18 RBIs.
» With her three-run home run in the first inning of game one, Wruble hit the first of her career. She nearly doubled her season RBI total with five on Saturday as she now sits at 11.  
» Marsden's 12 strikeouts marked a new career-high, which broke her previous high of 10 set twice in her career.

UP NEXT
Saint Francis concludes its first road conference series on Sunday against Central Connecticut at 12 p.m.