HENDERSON, Tenn. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) softball team split their season opener at Freed–Hardeman University on Friday, February 28. 

Freed–Hardeman, who is receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Rating, earned a 5-4 win in game one of Friday night's doubleheader. Saint Francis responded with a 10-8 win in game two. 

(RV) FREED-HARDEMAN 5, SAINT FRANCIS 4

• After a scoreless first two innings, the host Lions put a run on the board in the bottom of the third to make it 1-0. 
• Abby Robakowski hit an RBI double to left field to bring in Paiton Iliff to tie the game up 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning. Robakowski would score thanks to an RBI single by Brooklyn McCord to give the Cougars the 2-1 lead.
• Freed-Hardeman tied the game up in the bottom of the fourth inning, making it 2-2.
• USF took a 4-2 lead after the fifth and sixth innings, thanks to an RBI double from Iliff and a homer to center field from Robakowski.
• The Lions answered, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the 5-4 lead. 
• The Cougars had five hits in game one. Robakowski went 2-2 at the plate with a double, a home run, two RBI, and a walk. Iliff hit 2-4 with an extra-base hit and an RBI. 
• Mady Tompkins got the start on the mound for USF, striking out three of the 20 batters she faced while scattering five hits in 4.2 innings of work. 
• Kennedy Baioni took the loss after throwing 1.1 innings of relief and giving up three runs. 

SAINT FRANCIS 10, FREED-HARDEMAN 8

• The Cougars opened game two scoring six runs in the first inning. Sam Baker stole home to put USF on the scoreboard first. Doubles from Macie Dowd and Madyson Minnich that scored three total runs and an RBI single from Madisyn Miller also highlighted the inning for Saint Francis. 
• The Lions plated a run in the bottom of the third inning, but Macie Dowd hit a home run to left field to keep the Cougars' lead to six in the top of the fourth. 
• After Freed-Hardeman cut USF's lead to three in the bottom of the fifth, Minnich and Robakowski responded in the top of the seventh with singles that brought in three runs and made the score 10-4 in favor of the Cougars. 
• A late rally from Freed-Hardeman would fall short as Saint Francis hung on to win game two by a final score of 10-8.
• As a team, USF had 10 hits in game two against the Lions. Minnich was a perfect 3-3 at the plate with three RBI and a stolen base. Robakowski had three hits, two RBI and a walk. Dowd hit 2-4 with a home run, two RBI and a walk. 
• USF's starting pitcher Alexa Huth earned the win after striking out seven batters in 6.1 innings pitched. 
• Ellie Sauder got the save after throwing 0.2 innings of relief, striking out two batters and giving up a hit. 

Up next, USF softball (1-1) will face Lindsey Wilson College in a non-conference doubleheader at Tucker Field in Henderson, Tennesse on Saturday, March 1. Game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Cougar fans can stay updated on all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com.