CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Looking to kick off the postseason on a strong note, the St. Francis Fighting Saints (21-14) softball team took to the field against Lincoln College (4-31) on Thursday afternoon. Rain caused a delay, pushing the opening game of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic conference Tournament back four hours for the Saints. St. Francis led 4-1 heading into the seventh inning, but Lincoln was able to push four runs across in the top half to down the Saints 5-4.
 

The Saints' offense produced seven hits on the day, led by Madisen Tucker (JR/St. John, Ind.), who finished the day with two hits, including a two-run homer. It was her second of the season. 
 

Inside the circle, Hannah Vachon (JR/Oxford, Mich.) took the loss, allowing nine hits and five runs while striking out five.
 

The Lynx scored the game's opening run in the top of the first inning on a Melissa Benson RBI triple. The Saints answered back in the bottom of the inning when Christina Lorenzatti (FR/Beecher, Ill.) came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Kayla Garcia (SR/Chicago, Ill.). 
 

St. Francis made it 4-1 in the fourth inning. The scoring in the inning started when Tucker launched a two-run homer to right field. Kaylie Sippel (FR/Beecher, Ill.) followed with a triple and was brought in on an RBI groundout by Maddie Massaro (SO/Romeoville, Ill.). 
 

The score remained that way until the seventh inning when Lincoln was able to score the four runs on three hits. The Lynx were also aided by two Saint errors. St. Francis got the tying run to second in the bottom half, but would ultimately fall by the 5-4 count.
 

With the loss, the Saints move to the elimination side of the bracket where they will face Trinity Christian on Friday at 11 am at the Crown Point SportsPlex.