BOURBONNAIS, Ill. --- Limited to just three runs on the afternoon, the University of St. Francis softball team dropped a pair of decisions on the same day for the first time in 17 dates this season. Olivet Nazarene University claimed the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference sweep by scores of 6-1 and 3-2.

The Saints (22-12, 12-6 CCAC) got off on the right foot by scoring one run in their first at bat in each of the two contests. However, they would score only one other run over the other 12 innings on the day in suffering the setbacks.

Olivet Nazarene (25-11-1, 15-4) used a four run third inning to gain the first-game win before scoring single runs in each of its final three innings of the nightcap to earn the come from behind victory.

Kaylie Sippel provided one quarter of USF's offense on the day with her four hits with Brittany Osborne and Madisen Tucker supplying another three hits each.

Game 1: Olivet Nazarene 6, USF 1
The Saints put runners in scoring position in four of the seven innings, but Sippel's two-out single in the first inning was the only one that drove in a run. She went 3 for 3 in the contest with Tucker going 2 for 3 just in front of her.

After an error to start off the bottom of the third inning, Olivet Nazarene put four consecutive hits together to spark the four run rally. The Tigers would add single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Game 2: Olivet Nazarene 3, USF 2
After authoring the complete game pitching victory in the opener, Kori Fricke delivered a pair of home runs in the nightcap, including the eventual game winner in the bottom of the sixth inning, to key the sweep.

The Saints again opened the game with a 1-0 advantage after their first at bat when Danielle Callahan drove home Osborne (double) with a single. Olivet Nazarene got back even at one all on Fricke's first home run of the contest in the fourth inning.

That started a game of back and forth between the two teams with the Saints regaining the lead 2-1 one half inning later on back-to-back doubles from Maddie Eckberg and Osborne. Olivet Nazarene then doubled and singled in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie thing back up at two all.

USF's only other real opportunity to score came in the sixth inning when it put two runners on with two outs, but had that threat end on a strikeout.

Fricke's second home run of the game came with two outs in the sixth inning.

Osborne was the only Saint to have multiple hits in the game, going 2 for 4 with one run scored and the RBI.  

Up Next
Weather pending, the Saints are scheduled to have their regular season home finale on Sunday at the Harlow Lockwood Softball Complex when they take on Calumet College of St. Joseph in a doubleheader beginning at 1 pm.   

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