NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Saint Francis University softball earned its third outright Northeast Conference Regular Season title in a row with a 6-4 victory over Merrimack. The win also completed a series sweep of the Warriors. 
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
» Rachel Marsden (12-11) went a complete game and allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits with five walks and five strikeouts. She went 1-for-4 with one run scored and two RBIs at the plate.
» Jordan Pietrzykoski went 2-for-3 with one run scored and one walk.
» Brianna Sawyers and Lauren Aubry hit one home run each.  
 
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME
» Saint Francis opened an early 4-0 lead in the first inning off a two-run double from Marsden and two-run home run from Sawyers. Merrimack responded in the bottom half with a run off an error and infield single to cut the lead to 4-2.
» Aubry's solo home run, followed later in the second inning by an Ashley Wruble RBI double, extended the lead back to four, 6-2.
» Merrimack scored one run in the third and fourth inning each, both off of a double, and cut the lead to 6-4. After three scoreless innings, Saint Francis clinched its victory and sole possession of the NEC Regular Season title.
 
FLASH NUGGETS
» Saint Francis' title was also its fifth in the last six seasons. The Red Flash finished the conference slate 15-6, which was one game ahead of Central Connecticut (14-7) and currently one and a half games ahead of LIU (13-7).  
» Aubry's home run was her first since the 2021 season and she has three of her five career home runs against Merrimack.
» Pietrzykoski concluded the regular season at the only Red Flash player hitting over .300 with her.376 batting average. She hit .507 in 67 at-bats during conference play.

UP NEXT
Saint Francis prepares to host the NEC Tournament and will face No. 4 Merrimack in the first round on Thursday, May 11.