JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Red Flash softball team (10-8; 0-0) swept its Saturday doubleheader in Jacksonville, defeating the Holy Cross Crusaders, 7-0, in game one, and the hosting Jacksonville Dolphins, 5-4, in eight innings in game two.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
» Rachel Marsden and Sydney Baker led the way offensively for Saint Francis in game one, while Grace Vesco picked up her fourth win in a complete game shutout.
» Vesco gave up just three hits in her shutout win and tallied seven strikeouts.
» Jacksonville took an early lead in game two, but clutch hitting by Lexi Hernandez and Lindsay Ward propelled the Red Flash to a comeback win.
» Jordan Pietrzykoski collected two or more hits in each game on Saturday.
FLASH QUOTES
» "I think we found out that this team fights. We talked about fighting — comparing games to boxing matches and how we respond when we're punched in the mouth, and this is what I've been talking about with the team. This is who we are. This is the team I know we can be and I think it's important to carry this momentum, energy and playing together like a team forward and we'll see more of this." - Head Coach Jessica O'Donnell on game two
» "I don't want to overlook game one because that was a great win too. Grace pitched phenomenal, we came out swinging the bats and it was just a really good team win." - O'Donnell on game one
» "I feel like I've been really frustrated with myself recently, and I just wanted to go out, have fun and put everything I had out there because our pitchers work so hard and I wanted to give my everything for them." - Sophomore Lexi Hernandez on go-ahead hit
» "The first doubleheader sweep is always exciting and it's good to get it out of the way. The first girl up bunted and we expected it. J.P. caught that line drive and it was huge and it was a momentum killer for them and then I knew, with that last batter, that the game was in my hands and I trust Lauren Aubry behind the plate and Coach Petrie calling the right pitches, and knowing that I had so many people behind me kind of made me do it for them. I didn't try to make the moment bigger than it was. I just did my thing out there and it helped me." - Junior Rachel Marsden
» "It's just appreciation for the work we put in. I get so excited for them because it's like… when Rachel throws that drop ball in and they swing and miss, it's so exciting because I know how much time goes into that pitch. Same thing with Grace and any of our pitchers. It's just so exciting for me and the rest of the team to see it paying off." - Junior Jordan Pietrzykoski on the team's energy in game two
» "Softball is a game of feeling and figuring things out. You're going to have success at times, but the thing is what happens happens, and it's all about getting that next play. Having a positive attitude and positive energy when stepping up to the plate or being on the field together helps us gel as a team because we're able to pick each other up. When something went wrong on the field, our positive energy and spirit we have on the bench is what carried us to a win." - Senior Lindsay Ward
» "It was great to have the defense behind me in game one. The defense made great plays all day and it really helps, and then their bats came alive and relieved a lot of pressure off me in the circle and made it a lot easier." - Junior Grace Vesco
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME - GAME 1
» Saint Francis broke the game open in the second inning, tallying three runs off two home runs by Rachel Marsden and Sydney Baker
» Olivia Ulam and Jordan Frank added two more in the top of the fifth inning. Ulam kicked off the scoring with a double that drove in Mekenzie Saban, while Frank singled Ulam home a few batters later.
» Marsden tallied her second RBI of the game in the seventh off a bases loaded walk, and Ashley Wruble closed out the game's scoring with a sacrifice fly to right.
» Grace Vesco held Holy Cross to three hits while not allowing a walk and earning seven strikeouts in a complete game shutout, her second this season.
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME - GAME 2
» Jacksonville wasted little time in jumping out to an early lead, as All Bratek posted the first run of the game on a single to center field.
» Bratek and Tori Rodebaugh added two more for the Dolphins in the third inning. Rodebaugh notched a run on a fielder's choice, while Bratek traded out-for-run after grounding out to pitcher Rachel Marsden.
» Saint Francis mounted a comeback in the fifth inning after a single by Lexi Hernandez got the Red Flash on the board with a RBI single to left. Jordan Pietrzykoski would follow in a few hitters later with a two-run triple that tied the game at three.
» Jacksonville reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the fifth after Rodebaugh singled to center, driving in Madi Bratek.
» The Red Flash tied the game again in the seventh inning after Lindsay Ward singled home Mekenzie Saban with one strike to spare.
» Hernandez came through again for Saint Francis in the eighth, driving in the go-ahead run on a single to left.
» The Dolphins threatened in the bottom of the eighth, but a crucial putout by Pietrzykoski and a strikeout by Marsden thwarted the Jacksonville comeback.
FLASH NUGGETS
» Jordan Pietrzykoski went a combined 5-for-8 (.625) on Saturday, which included her first triple of the season.
» Grace Vesco has allowed a combined one earned run and three walks, while totaling 12 strikeouts over her last 15 innings pitched.
» Rachel Marsden continues to lead the team in home runs (4), while Mekenzie Saban, Sydney Baker and Lindsay Ward are tied for second (2).
» Six Red Flash hitters are batting .250 or above on the season following Saturday's doubleheader.
» Saturday marked the first single day sweep for Saint Francis this season, and it was the first time since May 14 where the Red Flash won multiple games in one day.
UP NEXT
Saint Francis (10-8, 0-0) rounds out its weekend slate against the University of North Florida Sunday afternoon. First pitch is 12:30 p.m.
