JOLIET, Ill. -- A trio of runs in the top of the first inning kept the University of St. Francis softball team from recording its thirtieth win of the season as NAIA No. 23-ranked Saint Xavier University defeated the Fighting Saints for a 4-2 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory on Friday afternoon.

Fiona Crane did the honors for the Cougars (32-10, 21-1 CCAC).  The leadoff hitter scored two of the four SXU runs in the game off of a 3-for-5 showing at the plate with four total stolen bases in the contest.

The Cougars gained their initial 3-0 lead in the first inning by being patient at the plate and coaxing starting USF pitcher Emily Boyle to toss 30 pitches in the frame.  Aided by three hits and two walks, SXU drove in its first run with a single to centerfield before a defensive miscue later in the inning provided the guests its next two runs.

After spotting the Cougars an additional run in the sixth inning to mark the score at 4-0, St. Francis got two of those runs back in the bottom half of the inning on a clutch two-out double from Isabella Landeros to score Kylie Cook and Chylece Cluck.

Outside of the sixth frame, the Saints, however, did not get much offense going throughout the duration of the contest.  The hosts did get two runners as far as second base in both the first and third innings, but those threats were quickly dismantled via popouts.

Boyle picked up her fifth loss of the season in the circle for USF.  The junior allowed two earned runs over her seven innings of work.  She struck out two batters against six walks, while yielding eight hits.

Cook was the only Saint with multiple hits, going 3-for-3 with one run scored.  Emily Hurst and Landeros collected USF's two other hits in the contest.

Up Next
The Saints, who are currently receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, will continue their three-game series with the Cougars on Saturday in Chicago.  First pitch for the doubleheader is slated for 12 pm at SXU Softball Field on the campus of Saint Xavier.

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