WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Saint Francis softball was unable to secure a win in a doubleheader against NEC opponent CCSU, falling by scores of 12-1 and 8-5 on Saturday afternoon at Red Flash Softball Field in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Sophomore Sofia Zielinski set a career high with her ninth home run of the year.

FLASH MOMENTS

The Red Flash faced an uphill battle from the start in Game 1, as the Blue Devils scored five runs in the opening half of the first inning. Saint Francis managed just one run throughout the rest of the game. The lone Red Flash run came in the bottom of the first inning, when a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases for Zielinski, who recorded her fifth walk and 23rd RBI of the season, putting Saint Francis on the board at 5-1. Unfortunately, the Red Flash could not regain momentum despite loading the bases twice in the later innings, ultimately falling to Central Connecticut State University 12-1 in five innings.

In Game 2, the Red Flash kept the Blue Devils scoreless until the top of the third inning, when CCSU scored two runs on a single and a fielder's choice. However, Saint Francis responded in the same inning with a two-run rally, highlighted by sophomore Morgan Pasternak's double to right field, which drove in two runners and tied the game at 2-2. Although CCSU retook the lead in the fourth inning, Zielinski kept the Red Flash within striking distance with a no-doubt home run to deep left field, making the score 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth.

As the game progressed to the bottom of the sixth inning, Saint Francis's offense continued to chip away at the Blue Devils' lead. Freshman Olivia Holtzman scored on a wild pitch, and freshman Olivia Hood capitalized on runners in scoring position with an RBI double down the right field line, bringing the final score to 8-5.

FLASH NUGGETS 
After finishing her impressive freshman season, which included being named to the NEC All-Rookie Team and winning NEC Rookie of the Week three times, Zielinski concluded the season with eight home runs. This afternoon, with a solo shot to deep left field, she broke her own career-high record, achieving nine home runs for the year. As of now, the underclassman leads both her team and the NEC with that number.

ON DECK
The Saint Francis softball team returns to action tomorrow, March 21, as they concluded their three-game set against CCSU with a getaway game at Red Flash Softball Field in Loretto, Pa, with a slated first pitch at noon.