MELBOURNE, Fla. -- The University of St. Francis softball team opened an initial 1-0 lead before suffering a 2-1 walkoff setback to Aquinas College (Mich.) in the front end of its split doubleheader on Saturday afternoon and put together a fourth-inning rally to solidify a 7-5 victory over Defiance College (Ohio) in its second game to come away with a split on the final day of action at the 2026 Space Coast Spring Break Games in Melbourne, Fla.

After tying the game at one run apiece in the bottom of the fourth inning, Aquinas (17-4) rallied with one run in the bottom of the seventh to secure the walkoff victory in the opener.  In the nightcap, Defiance (5-10) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first inning before seeing the Saints surge ahead with a six-run fourth inning.

Six Saints produced multiple hits on the day, highlighted by Emily Hurst (3-for-5) and her two walks.  Sarah Viar (2-for-7, 2 RBI) and Kylie Cook (2-for-7, 1 RBI) each drove in at least one run, while Juliana Anderson and Morgan Smardo both scored two runs each in game two.

Game 1:  Aquinas 2, USF 1
After being one-hit by Kaitlyn Schofield through three innings of play, Aquinas would tie the score in the fourth with an unearned run that was produced via two USF errors, knotting the score at 1-1.

St. Francis, which failed to plate a run after leaving a base runner stranded at third in the top half of its seventh frame, set up Aquinas for the walkoff victory.  Aquinas was able to draw the game-winning run when an overthrow to first base - in an attempt to obtain an out off a sacrifice bunt - was committed allowing the runner to circle the bases for the game-winning run.

Schofield (6-5) gave up just two hits to Aquinas' hitters and did not allow an earned run in the contest, but picked up the loss in the end as a result of USF's defeat.

Game 2:  USF 7, Defiance 5
Defiance opened up a 5-1 lead before the Saints made things interesting at the end with six runs in the fourth inning and one more in the sixth.

Six Saints in all registered hits as part of USF's total of 10 with Missy Saldana, Cook, Hurst and all posting multiple hits.  Viar, Hailey Kaddatz, Anderson, Schofield and Smardo also drove in runs in the contest.

After allowing five Yellow Jackets to cross the plate in the first four innings of play, the Saints plated one in the bottom of the second inning before taking advantage of four hits and four free passes issued by the DC pitching staff along with one defensive error in the fourth frame to score six runs.  USF later created some breathing room with a one-run sixth inning to cap off the scoring in the 7-5 victory.

Definance's offense only collected two hits in the contest, but also benefited greatly from USF's seven total walks and two hit batsmen allowed, which resulted in four runs for the Yellow Jackets in the game.

Schofield (7-5) was the benefactor of the St. Francis' offensive outburst in the circle as the junior came on in relief with one out in the top of the fourth inning.  She struck out seven of the 12 batters she faced against one walk, while not allowing a single hit in her 3.2 innings of work.

Up Next
The Saints open their 2026 conference season with a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference single game contest versus Trinity Christian College on Friday (March 20).  First pitch is set for 2 pm at Schaaf Athletic Complex in Palos Heights, Ill.

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