MARION, Ind. – The Lady Cougars returned home after their USSSA Regional Softball debut in Melbourne, Florida, to take on their first Crossroads League opponent of the 2023 season. The Lady Cougars split their first Crossroads opener against the No. 2-Ranked Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats. USF won Game 1, 5-2 and dropped Game 2, 7-6 in extra innings.

In Game 1, Kenzie Rust earned the start on the mound for the Lady Cougars, striking out one batter and only giving up 2 runs out of the 5 hits the Wildcat offense mustered. The Lady Cougars gained the lead early in the game with Tori Miller hitting a home run into right field and tallying 2 RBI's advancing herself and Brooklyn McCord home. The Lady Cougars continued to bring the heat in the 4th inning, due to Abby Erwin hitting a hard ground ball that tallied an RBI advancing Brenna Homan home & Macie Dowd to third. Madyson Minnich also singled and advanced to second on the throw in the 4th, recording 2 RBI's advancing both Carly Turner and Macie Dowd home. Macie Dowd went 2:3 from the plate, Madyson Minnich and Tori Miller both went 1:2 from the plate, & Brooklyn McCord and Aubrey Dunnuck both went 1:3 from the plate.

In Game 2, Mia Werner started on the mound, striking out 3 batters and giving up only 4 runs off of the 6 hits from the Wildcats. The Lady Cougars continued to rally from Game 1 momentum, resulting in Carly Turner & Aubrey Dunnuck both hitting a home run allowing the Lady Cougars to take the early lead. The Lady Cougars found the sweet spot in their bats again in the 4th inning, with Carly Turner doubling and tallying an RBI with Macie Dowd advancing home. Aubrey Dunnuck also singled & advanced to second on the throw. Carly Turner also advanced to home, scoring for the Lady Cougs. 

USF continued to play at their tempo in the 5th, with Tori Miller's single advancing Paiton Iliff home for an RBI. After fighting hard for two innings, Abby Erwin singled in the top of the 8th advancing Dowd home for an RBI. Key batting came from Carly Turner going 3:4 from the plate with 2 RBI's and 2 runs. Both Tori Miller & Aubrey Dunnuck went 2:4 from the plate with 2 RBI's. Paiton Iliff went 1:3 from the plate with one run, and Anna Smith, Macie Dowd, and Abby Erwin all went 1:4 batting for the Cougs.
Erika Turpin entered in the bottom of the 7th for relief, striking out 1 batter. Turpin only allowed 3 runs off the 5 hits from IWU. Turpin also threw 20:30 strikes in her 2 innings pitched.

The Lady Cougars are now 5-5 overall and 1-1 in the Crossroads League splitting with No. 2-Ranked Indiana Wesleyan. USF will be on the road to compete in their next doubleheader against their Crossroads League competitor, Goshen College. The Lady Cougars will play Goshen College Saturday (March 18th) with first pitch of Game 1 beginning at 1pm. The Goshen College Maple Leaves are currently 2-0 in the Crossroads League and 10-5 overall and on a 5 game winning streak, with their last two games being against Bethel University.

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

-Haylea Sorrell-