MARION, Ind. - The (RV) University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars split a Crossroads League doubleheader at (RV) Indiana Wesleyan University on Friday, April 17. The Wildcats rallied for a 4-3 win in game one before Saint Francis responded with a 13-5 run-rule victory in six innings in game two.

(RV) INDIANA WESLEYAN 4, (RV) SAINT FRANCIS 3

• Indiana Wesleyan struck first with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning.
• Saint Francis answered in the fourth, using a two-run double to left-center field to tie the score at 2-2.
• The Cougars took the lead in the sixth with an RBI double to make the score 3-2.
• Indiana Wesleyan responded in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on a fielding error to tie the game before delivering a walk-off RBI single to secure the game-one victory.
• Saint Francis totaled eight hits and drew one walk in game one. Macie Dowd and Kortney Surber each went 2-3 at the plate, combining for two runs scored. Surber added a double and an RBI, while Lena Viggiano recorded a double and two RBI.
• In the circle, Ellie Sauder was charged with the loss after tossing a complete game, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out two.

(RV) SAINT FRANCIS 13, (RV) INDIANA WESLEYAN 5 - 6 INNINGS

• Saint Francis struck first in game two, capitalizing on an Indiana Wesleyan error to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
• The Cougars broke the game open in the second, scoring five runs on an error, an RBI groundout, an RBI single and a two-run home run to build a 6-0 advantage.
• Saint Francis added four more runs in the third, highlighted by an RBI single from Viggiano and a three-run home run by Emma Howdeshell to extend the lead to 10-0.
• After Indiana Wesleyan responded with runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cut the deficit to 10-4, the Cougars answered with three runs in the sixth to push the lead to 13-4.
• IWU added a run in the bottom of the sixth, but Saint Francis held off the Wildcats to secure the run-rule victory to earn the doubleheader split.
• The Cougars totaled nine hits and drew five walks in game two. Abby Robakowski went 2-3 with a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored, while Dowd finished 2-4 with a double and an RBI. Howdeshell recorded her first collegiate home run and led the team with three RBI. Haylee Schott and Lillian Pierce each drove in two runs, while Sam Baker, Paiton Iliff, and Viggiano each added a stolen base.
• In the circle, Olivia Fuentes earned the win, tossing six innings while allowing eight hits and one walk with one strikeout.

Up next, SF softball (29-8, 25-4 CL) will host Taylor University during Senior Day at Westendorf Field on Saturday, April 18. Game one is scheduled to start at 2:00 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.