AUSTIN, Texas – Saint Francis University softball fell in its opening game of the Austin Regional to Northwestern, 7-2. The Wildcats scored all-seven of its runs during the third inning.  
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
» Grace Vesco (19-8) went 2.2 innings and allowed six runs on two hits with three walks and one strikeout.
» Rachel Marsden went 3.1 innings in relief and allowed one run on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
» Kaylie Walters went 1-for-2 with one run scored and one walk.
» Ashley Orischak went 1-for- with one run scored, a double and two walks.
 
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME
» Saint Francis started the scored when Walters drew a leadoff walk, followed by an Ashley Wruble sacrifice bunt. Walters scored after she took third on a wild pitch before taking home on another wild pitch for a 1-0 lead.
» Vesco retired six straight Northwestern batters to begin the game before the Wildcats did all their damage in the third inning.
» Northwestern broke through with a one-out, two-run single up the middle and took a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats furthered its lead with three consecutive walks that led to another run.
» After Marsden replaced Vesco, Northwestern added two more runs on a single, followed by a two-run double for a 7-1 lead.
» Saint Francis added its second run when Orischak scored on a Walters single up the middle in the sixth inning.
 
FLASH NUGGETS
» Saint Francis appeared in its fourth game in program history as a No. 3 regional seed.
» Walters is now one walk shy of 45 this season, which would place her tied for second in program history.
» Savannah Nash recorded one hit in the game and now has a hit in 16 of the last 17 games played.

UP NEXT
Saint Francis returns to the field on Saturday, May 18 at 3:30 p.m. ET to face Siena in the first elimination game of the Austin Regional.