MISHAWAKA, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars picked up a doubleheader sweep at Bethel University in Crossroads League action on Monday, March 30. Saint Francis won game one 14-5 before taking game two 12-4 in six innings.

SAINT FRANCIS 14, BETHEL 5

• The Cougars struck first in game one with a two-run home run to left field in the top of the first inning.
• Saint Francis added three more runs in the third inning to extend its lead to 5-0.
• Bethel answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to cut the Cougars' lead to 5-2
• After the Pilots added another run in the fifth, Saint Francis broke the game open in the seventh inning, plating nine runs, highlighted by a two-run home run from Haylee Schott and a pair of RBI singles.
• Bethel scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Saint Francis held on to secure the 14-5 victory.
• The Cougars finished with nine hits and eight walks in game one. Sam Baker went 2-3 at the plate with three runs scored, an RBI and three stolen bases. Schott hit 2-4 with a home run, a double and two RBI. Abby Robakowski also recorded a home run with two RBI, while Kortney Surber drove in a team-high three runs.
• In the circle, Ellie Sauder earned the win, striking out two batters while allowing four hits in 3.0 innings. Kennedy Baioni and Alexa Huth combined for four strikeouts while allowing eight hits in relief.

SAINT FRANCIS 12, BETHEL 4 - 6 INNINGS

• An RBI single and a three-run triple in the top of the second inning gave Saint Francis an early 4-0 lead.
• Bethel responded by scoring four runs across the third, fourth and fifth innings to tie the game at 4-4.
• The Cougars answered in the sixth inning, plating eight runs to take control of the game. The inning included a sacrifice fly, two RBI singles, an RBI triple and a steal of home by Madyson Minnich.
• Saint Francis kept Bethel off the scoreboard in the bottom half of the inning to secure the 12-4 win and complete the doubleheader sweep.
• The Cougars recorded 12 hits and four walks in game two. Lena Viggiano went 3-4 with a triple, an RBI and her second stolen base of the day. Abby Robakowski added a double and four RBI, while Paiton Iliff and Surber each drove in two runs.
• In the circle, Olivia Fuentes struck out three batters while allowing seven hits in 4.0 innings. Schott earned the win in relief, striking out two and allowing just one hit in 2.0 innings.

Up next, SF softball (17-7, 13-3 CL) will host No. 7 Marian University on Tuesday, March 31, for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.

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.