Before last weekend, it had been nearly 350 days since the last time the Red Flash softball team had stepped onto a field for a game because of the pandemic.

If there was any rust from the long layoff, it did not show in the team’s 3-1 opening weekend of action at Coastal Carolina, Feb. 19-21.

SFU defeated the host Chanticleers, 9-3, and swept a pair of decisions against Buffalo (11-4, 3-0). The lone loss of the weekend came against East Carolina (2-4). 

Sophomore pitcher Grace Vesco threw a no-hitter against Buffalo in the 3-0 victory over the Bisons.

“We played every game this past weekend as a unit and it showed,” said senior Mekenzie Saban.

The Red Flash are looking to capture their fourth consecutive Northeast Conference title in 2021.

“For the first time in my three years, I feel we have a really deep lineup,” said head coach Jessica O’Donnell. 

“When one person is having an off day, the next one steps up.”

The Flash will travel to Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Feb. 26-28 for games against Syracuse, Winthrop, Albany, the College of Charleston and the University of Illinois-Chicago.