TUCSON --- A five run second inning sparked an 8-4 victory over Dakota State University (S.D.) for the University of St. Francis softball team, but the Saints could not gain the sweep on the day as Northwestern College (Iowa) dealt USF an 11-1 setback in the nightcap on Friday.

Maddie Massaro wielded the big bat for the Saints on the day going 6 for 7, including a perfect 4 for 4 effort in the opener. Danielle Callahan collected another three hits over the two contests and has now hit safely in all 14 games by USF this season with the exception of the season opener.

Bridget McDermott stayed perfect in the circle at 7-0 with her four innings of work in Friday's first game. She supported herself offensively with her first home run of the season.

Game 1: USF 8, Dakota State 4
Eight of nine St. Francis starters produced hits as part of an overall 13 hit attack for the winners. Massaro led the way with her 4 for 4 game and one run batted in. Kaylie Sippel (2-for-3) and Madisen Tucker (2-for-3, 1 RBI) also had multiple hits for USF.

Callahan wasted little time in extending her hit streak with an RBI double in the top of the first inning. She also drove in another run in USF's big five run inning after Dakota State took a brief 2-1 lead.

Maddie Eckberg started the rally with her two run double with Massaro following with an RBI single.

Dakota State (1-5) got the deficit back down to 6-4 with its second two run home run of the game in the fourth inning before the Saints added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning. McDermott provided one of those with her home run, with Tucker adding an RBI single later on.

Hannah Vachon closed out the contest with three innings of scoreless relief to notch her second save of the season. She did not allow a hit, while walking one batter and striking out three.

Game 2: Northwestern (Iowa) 11, USF 1
Northwestern used a 17 hit attack to improve to 17-3 on the season. The Red Raiders led 2-0 through the first three innings before putting the game out of reach with nine runs over the final three frames, including a five run seventh inning.

USF's only tally came in the sixth inning on a bases loaded walk to Sippel.

The Saints (9-5) got all five of their hits from the top of the order with two each from Massaro and Callahan and one from Brittany Osborne.

Northwestern boasted five players with multiple hits, including Gwen Mikkelson (4-for-4, 2 RBI) and Bri Giordano (3-for-4, 2 RBI).

Up Next
The Saints wrap up their Arizona trip facing Dakota State and Valley City State University (N.D.) on Saturday afternoon.

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