ATLANTA – Saint Francis University softball defeated UIC 5-1 to earn a victory in both its games against the Flames at the Buzz Classic. The second game of the day, originally scheduled for 1 p.m. against Georgia Tech, has been postponed. Any further schedule updates will be released on Twitter.
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
» Rachel Marsden (1-1) went a complete seven innings and allowed one unearned run on four hits with two walks and 12 strikeouts. She also went 1-for-3 with an RBI at the plate.
» Brianna Sawyers went 1-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
» Sydney Baker and Madelyn Wilson each went 2-for-3 with one run scored.
 
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME
» After Sawyers hit a leadoff double, she was driven in by Marsden on a sacrifice fly and gave Saint Francis a 1-0 lead in the first. Lexi Hernandez drove in another run in the second, followed by a Sawyers sacrifice fly and Saint Francis took a 3-0 lead. 
» Tessa Thompson added another run on a throwing error in the fourth inning, the first of her career. Another run was added on a throwing error in the sixth inning byNash and gave Saint Francis a 5-0 lead.
» Marsden recorded two strikeouts in the seventh inning that tied her career-high of 12 in a game. UIC added its only run, which was unearned, on an infield single before Saint Francis clinched its win.

FLASH NUGGETS
» Marsden tied her career-high with 12 strikeouts, which she previously set last season against Central Connecticut, and has four double-digit strikeout games in her career. She topped 300-career strikeouts in the game and stands at 303.
» Nash, Thompson and Wilson each recorded the first hit of their collegiate careers.
» Baker recorded her first multi-hit game since March 5, 2022 at Holy Cross, a 25-game span.

UP NEXT
Saint Francis is currently scheduled to face UConn on Sunday at 9 a.m., with further potential schedule changes due to inclement weather.