FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Saturday afternoon the University of Saint Francis Cougars (25-23; 17-19 Crossroads) traveled to Marion, Indiana for the regular season finale in a doubleheader against the No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats (46-8; 31-5 Crossroads) and fell in both games by scores of 10-2 and then dropping the finale 3-2 in heartbreaking fashion.

The Cougars and Wildcats began the day resuming play in the sixth inning from a previous postponement in early April, but the Wildcats already leading 13-6 in the game held on the defeat the Cougars 13-9.

Now to begin the final doubleheader was Mackenzie Rust, who had been the ace of the team all season long but ran into immediate trouble in the bottom of the first when after having the Cougars score the first run in the top half, the Wildcats singled, stole second and doubled to tie the game.

Then in the bottom of the second the Wildcats loaded the bases with one out and then consecutive RBI singles plated three runs as Rust was driven from the game having surrendered five runs in just one and a-third innings pitched.

Wesleyan totaled four runs in the inning to take a 5-1 lead, but a sacrifice fly and second RBI of the game by left fielder Aubrey Dunnuck closed the deficit to within three runs.

However, Wesleyan was able to answer the Cougars with another run in the bottom of the third, one in the fourth, and three more in the fifth to claim the first game 10-2 via mercy rule.

In the finale, it was Roni Hudson's turn to face the mighty Wildcats' team, and from the start she was up for the task. She retired the first nine batters that she faced as a pitcher's duel ensued, and the game entered the fourth a scoreless tie.

Then in the top of the fourth, catcher Tori Miller led off with a walk and scored the game's first run on an RBI-single by shortstop Brooklyn McCord with one out. McCord then came around to score herself on a two-out RBI-double by Aubrey Dunnuck to give Hudson a 2-0 lead.

The Wildcats finally got something going against the senior hurler as they scored their first run of the game off a couple hits and two errors by the Cougars to make it 2-1, but Hudson held them from there.

Going into the bottom of the seventh, the Cougars were holding on to a slim 2-1 edge as Hudson went out to finish what she started. But with one out, a double and stolen base brought the winning run to the plate, and Hudson surrendered a game-winning two-run home run as the Wildcats completed the sweep and dealt the Cougars the tough loss.

Through the 2022 season, the Cougars finished with the number five seed in the Crossroads league, and will now travel to Indianapolis, next week to compete in the conference tournament. Stay updated through Saintfranciscougars.com or download the Saint Francis Cougars app.