BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Morgan Smardo's go-ahead homerun in the fifth inning and Jaelynn Taylor's grand slam in the seventh made for a lively offensive day for the University of St. Francis softball team in its 6-1 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory over Olivet Nazarene University on Monday afternoon at Tiger Field in Bourbonnais, Ill.

While the homeruns were ultimately the deciding factor in the contest, USF's defensive prowess was just as important, as a sixth inning left field assist from Kamryn Koontz after a base hit resulted in the junior gunning down the potential game-tying run at home plate which allowed the Saints to keep ahold of their 2-1 lead.

Smardo (3-for-3, 1 RBI) and Taylor (2-for-3, 4 RBI) both had multiple hits on the day, while Sarah Viar, Kylie Cook, Emily Hurst and Koontz all accounted for one hit each as part of USF's nine total hits on the day.

Olivet Nazarene (22-18, 12-8 CCAC) had taken an initial 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning before the Fighting Saints (30-13, 16-6) took advantage of an ONU defensive error in the third to knot the score at one-all.

The Saints would have a scoring opportunity in the fourth inning when Taylor singled followed by a fielder's choice from Isabella Landeros.  Landeros then went to second on a sacrifice bunt, but a sharp lineout from Emily Boyle to the second baseman ended that threat.

In the fifth, St. Francis would take the lead in exciting fashion when Smardo connected for the first homerun of her USF career, drilling a deep shot over the centerfield wall to mark the score at 2-1.  That lead would hold over the next inning, but it was the Tigers this time looking to take advantage of a scoring opportunity in the sixth.  After a leadoff walk and wild pitch put the potential game-tying run into scoring position with no outs, Boyle was able to coax the next two Tiger hitters to strikeout before allowing a base hit to left field off the bat of Christa Contreras.  It was Koontz that then provided the defensive excitement for the Saints with the outfielder firing a perfect throw in to the plate, resulting in the dramatic tagout.

Not to be outdone, however, Taylor provided some fireworks of her own one-half inning later after the Saints loaded the bases with two outs.  After working the count to 2-1, the senior first baseman connected for the second grand slam of her college career - a towering shot over the leftfield wall - to account for USF's final four runs of the contest, and solidifying the 6-1 final score in favor of the Saints.

Boyle (16-6) picked up the complete game victory in the circle for USF.  She went the distance, allowing just the one earned run, while scattering seven hits and striking out six batters against two walks.

Up Next
The Saints will be at home tomorrow (April 21) to complete their three-game series against Olivet Nazarene University.  First pitch for the CCAC doubleheader is at 3 pm at the Harlow Lockwood Softball Field.  Senior day festivities will take place in-between the two games.

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