WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Saint Francis softball dropped its final game of the Cal Baptist Invitational, 7-5, against Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday afternoon at John C. Funk Stadium in Riverside, California.
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
The ultimate turning point came in the bottom of the first inning when Cal State Bakersfield took the lead with a two-RBI triple off the center field wall, followed by a wild pitch, quickly erasing the Red Flash's lead to make it 3-2. Despite two late-inning attempts to close the gap and retake the lead, Saint Francis was unable to rally.
FLASH MOMENTSÂ
Saint Francis got right to work in the top of the first inning when sophomore Sofia Zielinski singled to center field, allowing junior Aliya Garroway to round third and score, giving the Red Flash a 1-0 lead. The team added to its lead in the same inning when freshman Olivia Hood reached on an error, allowing Zielinski to cross home for a 2-0 advantage.
In the top of the fifth inning, the bats came alive for the Red Flash when sophomore Morgan Pasternak singled to right field, driving in junior Lilly Hicks for her tenth RBI of the season and closing the gap to 5-3.
The final comeback attempt occurred at the top of the seventh inning, where Zielinski doubled down the right field foul line, scoring Pasternak and junior Marianne Labelle to narrow the Roadrunners' lead to 7-5.
ON DECK
The Red Flash are back in action next weekend on Friday, Feb. 20, in Hampton, Virginia, as they participate in the Battle of the Bay tournament against Quinnipiac, Maine, Norfolk State, and the host team, Hampton. The first pitch of game one is slated for 10 a.m.
