MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) softball team extended its winning streak to 18 games with a Crossroads League doubleheader sweep of Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Tuesday, April 14. The Cougars won game one 15-2 in five innings before edging MVNU 4-3 in game two.

SAINT FRANCIS 15, MOUNT VERNON NAZARENE 2 - 5 INNINGS 

• Saint Francis started game one strong, driving in nine runs in the top of the first inning to take control early, highlighted by two triples, a sacrifice fly, a walk, and a single.
• The SF Cougars extended their lead in the fourth with two RBI singles and an RBI double to make it 13-0.
• An RBI single from Abby Robakowski and a sacrifice fly by Haylee Schott added to SF's total in the bottom of the fifth inning.
• Mount Vernon Nazarene plated runs in the fourth and fifth, but Saint Francis secured the 15-2 run-rule victory.
• Saint Francis totaled 10 hits and drew five walks in game one. Robakowski went 2-2 with a triple and two RBI, while Macie Dowd finished 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Paiton Iliff added an extra-base hit and three RBI, and Schott also drove in three runs. Sam Baker swiped her 36th stolen base of the season. 
• In the circle, Olivia Fuentes earned her 11th win of the season, tossing a complete game while allowing seven hits and one earned run.

SAINT FRANCIS 4, MOUNT VERNON NAZARENE 3

• Mount Vernon Nazarene struck first in game two, capitalizing on a Saint Francis error to take a 1-0 lead.
• Saint Francis responded in the fifth, using a sacrifice fly and an RBI walk to take the 2-1 advantage.
• The SF Cougars drove in two runs in the sixth with an RBI single and another sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-1.
• MVNU tried to rally in the seventh, scoring two runs to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Saint Francis held on to secure the win and complete the doubleheader sweep.
• The SF Cougars totaled six hits and drew five walks in game two. Baker led the way with two RBI, while Lena Viggiano added an RBI. Schott recorded a double, and Madyson Minnich, Lillian Pierce, Bree Miller, and Emma Howdeshell each stole a base.
• In the circle, Ellie Sauder earned the complete-game victory, allowing eight hits and one earned run while striking out one.

Up next, SF softball (28-7, 24-3 CL) will travel to Marion for a league doubleheader at Indiana Wesleyan University on Friday, April 17. First pitch for game one is set for 4:00 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.