JOLIET, Ill. -- The University of St. Francis softball team opened defense of its 2024 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season title by sweeping a doubleheader in thrilling fashion from CCAC rival Olivet Nazarene University on Wednesday afternoon.  St. Francis totaled 19 hits on the day between the 8-1 and 8-7 victories, upping the Fighting Saints' overall record to 7-12, 2-0 CCAC on the year.

Emily Boyle set the tone for the day with her grand slam in the second inning of Game 1, while Rose Mwaro authored a story book ending with her one-out, 2-RBI walk-off double in the right center gap to plate the game-winning runs in Game 2.  Those game-deciding hits were two of 19 total base knocks and one of three home runs on the day for the Saints.  Isabella Landeros also connected for a solo shot to straightaway centerfield to lead off the third inning in Game 1, while Emily Hurst duplicated the same exact feat in Game 2.  The four hitters combined for nine hits and eight RBIs between the two games.

Also coming through offensively were Kylie Cook (3-for-4, 3 RBI) and Jaelynn Taylor (4-for-5, 1 RBI).

Kiersten Manning (5-6) and Boyle produced strong efforts in the circle, striking out a combined 16 batters.  Manning not only got the first-game win, but she also picked up the victory in the nightcap after relieving Boyle in the sixth inning.

Game 1:  USF 8, Olivet Nazarene 1
USF dominated ONU with seven runs over the first three innings before tacking one more onto their column in the sixth frame.  Chylece Cluck drove in the first run of the game on a bases loaded walk which set the stage for Boyle's dramatics one batter later.  After Landeros showcased her power in the third, Taylor pushed the score to 7-0 after connecting for a RBI double to score Mwaro who had reached base via a walk.

Olivet Nazarene (14-10, 0-2) was able to put one run on the board on a solo blast in the fifth inning, but the Saints would respond by scoring their final of the game the same way they scored their first with Hailey Kaddatz drawing a bases loaded walk in the sixth to plate Lindsey Kaufmann.

Seven Saints recorded hits with five matching up their offensive production with RBIs.  Of the nine hits, four went for extra bases led by home runs from Boyle and Landeros.  The other two came off the bats of Hurst and Taylor, both of which were doubles.

Manning was the benefactor of the hosts' offensive explosion, notching her fourth win of the season.  She gave up just three hits while only allowing one earned run.  She also struck out 12 batters against two walks.

Game 2:  USF 8, Olivet Nazarene 7
The see-saw affair ended in USF's favor on Mwaro's one-out, walk-off double in the right center gap to score pinch runners Jillian Zodrow and Zoe Ditter with the game-winning runs.  That ended a three-run rally for the Saints over the last two innings after they fell behind ONU 7-6 in the top of the seventh inning.
After scoring just one run in the opener, the Tigers put up a quick run after their first at bat in the nightcap.  St. Francis countered with a four-run second inning with the big hit of the frame coming from Cook, who lasered a bases-loaded double into the right center gap to plate two runs.  Morgan Smardo followed with a single of her own to score Kaddatz (single) before an Olivet error allowed Cook to scamper home for the final run of the frame.

Olivet forced the first of two ties in the contest in the third inning (4-4) before the Saints regained a one-run edge with Hurst's solo shot in the bottom half of that frame.

The guests then powered up for two doubles in the fifth inning that resulted in the second tie score of the night (5-5) only to have Cook deliver yet again in the sixth.  The sophomore third baseman capped off a 2-for-2, 3 RBI showing at the plate with a clutch sacrifice fly to open the stanza to give the Saints a one-run advantage at 6-5.

After taking the mound in the top of the sixth, Manning looked to be delivering on her request to produce two scoreless innings, before a two-out home run from ONU's Kahiwa Ili in the top of the seventh gave the Tigers a momentum-shifting 7-6 lead. 

The Saints remained undeterred however, with Hurst producing a one-out double before Landeros reached safely after a bunt attempt to put the game-winning run on base.  Mwaro didn't waste any time with her heroics as the graduate senior blasted the first pitch she saw into the gap to give the Saints the 8-7 walk-off win.

Boyle went the first five innings in the circle, allowing nine hits and striking out three.  Manning upped her record to 5-6 after striking out one in her two innings of work.

Up Next
The Saints will stay at home on Friday (March 28) when they take on CCAC foe Judson University.  First pitch is scheduled for a 3 pm start at the Inwood Sports Complex.

You can keep up with all things USF on X @USFSaints.