LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University softball defeated LIU 6-1 in their first game of the Northeast Conference Tournament. With the win, Saint Francis will play at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 13 against either Mount St. Mary's or Fairleigh Dickinson.
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
» Olivia Ulam went 2-for-3 with a grand slam and five total RBIs.
» Grace Vesco pitched a complete game and allowed one run on four hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.
» Jordan Pietrzykoski went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one walk. Jordan Frank went 2-for-3 with one run scored and one walk.
» Katie Hinkle went 1-for-2 with a walk and scored the only LIU run of the game.
 
FLASH QUOTES
"This is a great feeling. The score was really close so it felt good to get the team some insurance runs. We stay calm in trailing situations and we know we can compete under pressure. We never gave up the entire game, which is the best part." – Freshman Ulam on her home run and the team's comeback effort.
 
"The defense definitely calmed me down after the run. There is so much fight in this team and I knew we would score some runs. Winning the first game was crucial because we got some nerve out of the way and we can go out and play Red Flash softball." – Junior Vesco on the
 
"We've been coming from behind a lot this season and it's about remaining calm and trusting yourself. Olivia's play was a game changer for us and I think her home run really took the wind out of her sails. I don't even look at her out there as a freshman, she was so ready for the moment." – Head coach Jessica O'Donnell on the team's comeback and Ulam's grand slam.
 
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME
» After two scoreless innings to start the game, LIU's Camryn Lyman scored in the third inning when she stole home.
» In the fourth inning, Saint Francis loaded the bases with one out and Lauren Aubry tied the game with an RBI single. The Red Flash were unable to score any more runs, despite the bases still loaded with one out.
» In the fifth inning, Saint Francis took its first lead of the game with a Ulam sacrifice fly that drove in Pietrzykoski.
» Ulam extended the lead with her first-career grand slam in the sixth inning that gave Saint Francis a 6-1 lead.
» With Vesco able to keep LIU scoreless, Saint Francis clinched its 6-1 victory to open the NEC Tournament.

FLASH NUGGETS
» Ulam's grand slam marked the second-straight game Saint Francis hit a grand slam after Frank hit one to end the regular season. The home run was Ulam's first since April 23 against Fairleigh Dickinson, a seven-game span.
» Mekenzie Saban tied her previously set single-single program and NEC record with her 23rd double of the season.
» Vesco is now tied for fourth in single-season program history with her 151st strikeout of the season.

UP NEXT
Saint Francis will face the winner of Mount St. Mary's vs. FDU on Friday, May 13 at 10 a.m. with an automatic trip to the championship game on the line.