Saint Francis Drops First Game of CL Tournament to MVNU
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mount Vernon Nazarene (OH) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 2 |
|
Saint Francis (Ind.) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
UPLAND, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) softball team opened up play in the Crossroads League Softball Tournament against Mount Vernon Nazarene on Wednesday, April 30.
The No. 4-seeded USF Cougars fell to MVNU, the No. 6 seed on the bracket, by a final score of 7-4.
Mount Vernon Nazarene took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning after hitting a three-run home run over the left field fence.
With the bases loaded in the bottom half of the inning, Madyson Minnich was hit by a pitch, scoring Abby Robakowski and cutting Mount Vernon Nazarene's lead to 3-1.
Robakowski then hit a single to left field, with Anna Smith scoring on an error by the left fielder to bring Saint Francis within one run.
A two-run triple in the top of the fourth inning scored two more runs for Mount Vernon Nazarene, making the score 5-2 in favor of MVNU.
The USF Cougars answered with an RBI single to center field from Robakowski and another bases-loaded hit by pitch to make it a one-run game in the bottom of the fourth.
In the top of the fifth and sixth innings, Mount Vernon Nazarene used two RBI singles to pull ahead 7-4.
USF was unable to bring another run across the plate as MVNU won Wednesday's tournament game to advance to play top-seeded Marian.
As a team, Saint Francis recorded eight hits and four walks. Robakowski went 3-4 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored. Kortney Surber and Minnich also drove in a run each, while Minnich also stole a base, and Madisyn Miller had two sacrifice bunts.
Ellie Sauder collected three strikeouts while giving up 10 hits in five innings pitched as USF's starting pitcher.
Kennedy Baioni threw two innings of relief, striking out a batter while holding MVNU to two hits.
With the loss, USF softball (27-20) will play on Thursday, May 1, against the loser of Indiana Wesleyan vs. Spring Arbor at 12:00pm.
Cougar fans can stay updated on all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com.
