PULASKI, Ten. - On Sunday morning, the University of Saint Francis Cougars (1-4) took on the University of Southern Tennessee Firehawks (7-3) in Pulaski, winning the first series 7-5 and losing the second series.

In the opening game, sophomore pitcher Corey Wolters took the mound to start for the Cougars. The game began as a rocky start for the Cougars as the Firehawks took an early lead in the 1^st from 2-RBI singles to make it a 2-0 lead. The Cougars rallied in the top of the second off a pick-off attempt that allowed Jayden Lepper to score making it 2-1. The Firehawks came back swinging with a solo homer in the bottom of the second to go up 3-1. Wolters day on the mound ended after this, but the Firehawks added a 2-run RBI double in the fourth as well to make it 5-1. However, USF found a new sense of confidence after yesterday's win (2/18) and rallied all the way back with a great series of offensive work.

Nick Parsons would led the charge with a groundout in the 5^th that allowed a runner to score making it 5-2. Then, in the top of the  7^th, an error and a back-to-back series of 2-run RBI's would allow the Cougars to score five runs letting them sit comfortably at 7-5. The Firehawks had no response to the Cougars offense and the solid defense played by the Cougars allowed them to closeout the first series with a 7-5 win.

In the second series, sophomore pitcher Deron Swanson took the mound for the Cougars to start. The second series would be an absolute blowout for the Cougars as they never took the foot off the gas. The 1^st inning strated with a David Miller solo homerun to go up 1-0. Then, a series of 2-run RBI's. Two wild pitch errors, a walk, a single, and a fielders choice would allow the Cougars to score eight runs to closeout the 1^st inning leading 9-0. The Firehawks responded in the bottom of the 1^st with a 2-run RBI double and a single to make it a 9-3 deficit. USF continued to cruise along on the offensive side of things at the top of the 2^nd. A series of 2 singles opened the 2^nd as well as a double to make it 13-3. Then, homeruns by David Miller, Jayden Lepper, and Eli Riley would combine for a total of eight runs to push the lead to 21-3. The inning was capped off by the Cougars scoring from a wild pitch and Ayden Lichtensteiger adding two more runs to end the 2^nd inning, commanding a 23-3 lead. The Firehawks responded with a homerun in the bottom of the 2^nd to make it 23-4. Swanson was retired after three innings and the Cougars offense stalled out the rest of the day. The Firehawks responded with a double in the bottom of the 4^th inning to make it 23-5. Then, the last bit of offense from the Firehawks came at the bottom of the 5^th, scoring off a wild pitch and a 2-run RBI double to make it 23-8. But, the Cougars would ultimately closeout the series with a dub. Securing a series win against the Firehawks.

The Cougars next road game will be Friday February 24^th, beginning at 10:00am at Indiana University of Kokomo.

Cougar fans stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.

-Hayden Williamson-