CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Looking to kick off the 2025 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference softball tournament on a strong note, the No. 2-seeded University of St. Francis softball team failed to do so following its 3-2 setback to No. 3-seeded St. Ambrose University (Iowa) on Friday afternoon.  The loss was St. Francis' second of the season to the Fighting Bees, whom was just one of three league teams to produce a win against the Fighting Saints during the regular season.

The Saints' (19-19) offense produced five hits and five walks on the day, led by Rose Mwaro and Emily Boyle, who each finished the day with one hit and one RBI apiece.

Inside the circle, Kiersten Manning (11-8) took the loss, allowing six hits and three runs while striking out five.

The Bees (27-18) scored the game's opening run in the top of the third inning before plating two more runs in the fifth frame to mark the score at 3-0.  After staying quiet for the first six innings, St. Francis' hitters answered back in the bottom of the seventh inning, utilizing two hits and a walk to produce its first run of the game.  With runners at second and third and just one out, Boyle plated USF's second run on a RBI groundout to second, which allowed the game-tying run to reach third base.  The Saints' offensive production would end there, however, with the SAU pitching staff coaxing a groundout to end the game.

Up Next
With the loss, the Saints move to the elimination side of the double-elimination bracket where they will face Olivet Nazarene University on Saturday (May 3) at 1 pm at the Crown Point SportsPlex.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.