UPLAND, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) softball team split a Crossroads League road doubleheader at Taylor University on Tuesday, March 24. The Cougars fell in game one 8-4 before rallying to take game two by a final score of 4-3. 

TAYLOR 8, SAINT FRANCIS 4

• The Trojans got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run single up the middle.
• Saint Francis responded in the top of the third inning with an RBI single to cut the Trojans' lead to 2-1.
• Taylor drove in five more runs across the third and fourth innings to pull ahead 7-1.
• Abby Robakowski led off the sixth inning with a home run to left field, followed by a solo shot from Madyson Minnich to make it a 7-3 game.
• The Trojans added another run in the bottom half of the inning to extend their lead to 8-3.
• The Cougars looked to rally in the top of the seventh, using an RBI double to cut the deficit, but fell short in game one, 8-4.
• Saint Francis recorded eight hits in the opener. Sam Baker went 3-4 at the plate with a double, a triple and an RBI. Robakowski and Minnich each hit a home run, while Macie Dowd and Kortney Surber both added doubles. Paiton Iliff also drove in a run for the Cougars.
• In the circle, Ellie Sauder took the loss after throwing 3.2 innings, striking out two and allowing 10 hits.

SAINT FRANCIS 4, TAYLOR 3

• After a scoreless first inning, Surber stepped to the plate with two outs and hit a two-run home run to put Saint Francis on the board.
• The Trojans answered in the bottom half of the inning, plating two runs to tie the game at 2-2.
• The Cougars took advantage of miscues in the top of the third to bring in a run and regain a 3-2 lead.
• Robakowski led off the sixth inning with a home run to extend Saint Francis's lead to 4-2.
• Taylor added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Saint Francis held off the rally to secure the 4-3 win and earn a doubleheader split.
• The Cougars finished with four hits and two walks in game two. Robakowski went 2-for-3 at the plate with her second home run of the day, while Surber added a home run and two RBI.
• In the circle, Olivia Fuentes tossed a complete game, striking out four batters while allowing one earned run on seven hits.

Up next, the Cougars (11-7, 7-3 CL) will travel to Grace College for another league doubleheader on Wednesday, March 25. Game times are set for 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. in Winona Lake. 

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at Saint Francis offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Business and Leadership: Creative Arts and Digital Media; Education, Human Services and Community Care; Nursing; and Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, Saint Francis has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.