PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. -- Kamryn Koontz and Jaelynn Taylor each authored towering homeruns in aiding the University of St. Francis softball team to a 17-hit offensive attack that resulted in its 13-3 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference mercy rule victory over Trinity Christian College on Friday afternoon at Schaaf Athletic Complex in Palos Heights, Ill.

After scoring on back-to-back doubles from Missy Saldana and Sarah Viar to start the game, the Saints exploded for three runs in the second highlighted by a two-run homerun from Koontz in her first at-bat of the day.  A second double from Viar would account for USF's third run in the frame.

One inning later, USF (15-7, 1-0 CCAC) began to slowly extend its lead, scoring one run in the third off an Isabella Landeros sacrifice fly to pull ahead 5-0, before allowing Trinity Christian (5-12, 0-1) to work its way back in the mix with two unearned runs in the third and another in the fourth to mark the score at 5-3.

The Saints responded heavily in the fifth frame and sixth frames, plating a combined eight runs across the two innings as a product of sending 19 batters to the plate.  Viar kickstarted the offensive onslaught in the fifth with her third straight double before Emily Hurst drove her home with a double of her own to straightaway centerfield.  Landeros followed with the third double of the inning to score Hurst before Emily Boyle snuck a single past the TCC infield to plate Taylor - who had previously reached base earlier in the inning via a single.  Saldana later capped off the fifth frame scoring with a two-RBI single to set the score at 10-3.

In the sixth, Taylor set the tone in a powerful way with a two-run home run over the leftfield wall to account for USF's 11th and 12th runs.  Boyle then collected her second RBI of the game later in the inning for the Saints' final tally of the contest.

Viar finished the day going 3-for-4 at the plate with three doubles and two RBIs.  Saldana (2 RBI), Landeros (2 RBI) and Hurst (1 RBI) also collected three hits apiece, while Taylor (2-for-4), Boyle (2-for-4) and Koontz (1-for-2, 1 BB) all drove two runs each across the plate.

Boyle picked up the complete-game win in the circle, upping her season record to 8-2 overall.  She scattered eight hits across six innings of work, with eight strikeouts against two walks while not allowing an earned run.

Up Next
The Saints will be at home on Saturday (March 21) to complete the three-game series against Trinity Christian College.  First pitch is at 12 pm at Harlow Lockwood Softball Field.

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