The softball team extended its winning streak in conference play to 18 games with an 11-0 mercy-rule victory over FDU on April 21, securing a three-game series sweep over the Knights.
The three wins clinched SFU (31-11, 18-0 NEC) the opportunity to host the NEC Tournament next month. It also gave the Flash at least a share of the league’s 2024 regular-season title.
Rachel Marsden delivered a stellar performance both on the mound and at the plate in the 11-0 win at FDU. The graduate student allowed no runs on two hits, striking out four in four innings. At the plate, she went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and two runs scored.
Kaylie Walters went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base, while Savannah Nash and Lexi Hernandez each belted home runs.
“The chemistry on this team is amazing. Everyone contributes in their own way, and that’s what makes us so strong,” said Marsden.
Walters also believes that the team’s cohesiveness has played a big part in its success.
“We have each other’s backs on and off the field,” said the freshman from Bucks County. “It’s that support that pushes us to excel.”
Olivia Ulam initiated the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning of last Sunday’s win, followed by Marsden’s three-run blast in the second.
Hernandez’s solo home run in the third inning extended the lead, but it was an explosive fourth inning that put the game out of reach. A bases-loaded walk by Ashley Wruble and a subsequent FDU fielding error allowed two more runs to score before Nash’s three-run homer capped off a six-run inning.
Hernandez has five home runs and 14 RBI in the last 10 games.
Saint Francis displayed its depth in the game, with eight different players contributing runs. Freshman Olivia Kolowitz pitched a scoreless fifth inning to wrap up the team’s 18th straight victory.
SFU will host the NEC Tournament for the sixth time in the last seven seasons, May 9-11. With one more conference victory, the team will clinch its sixth outright NEC regular-season title in seven seasons.
SFU traveled to Penn State on Tuesday and will stay on the road this weekend for three games at Wagner (April 27-28).
