FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) softball team opened its season Friday with a doubleheader at (RV) Indiana Institute of Technology. The Cougars split the series, earning a 7-5 extra-inning victory in game one before falling 6-2 in game two.

SAINT FRANCIS 7, (RV) INDIANA TECH 5 - 8 INNINGS

• Saint Francis struck first with two runs in the top of the second inning to take an early lead in game one. Lena Viggiano and Abby Robakowski each homered to plate three more runs, pushing the Cougars' advantage to 5-0 in the fourth.
• Indiana Tech answered with runs in the fourth and fifth to cut the Cougars' lead to 5-3. The Warriors later capitalized on a double and a Saint Francis error to score twice in the sixth and seventh, tying the game and forcing extra innings.
• The Cougars regained control in the eighth, using an RBI double and an Indiana Tech fielding miscue to take a 7-5 lead. Saint Francis sealed the victory with a scoreless inning in the bottom half to secure the extra-inning win.
• Saint Francis totaled 11 hits and two stolen bases. Viggiano went 3-4 at the plate with a home run, double, and two RBI, while Robakowski also finished 3-4 with a home run, two RBI, a stolen base, and a walk. Madyson Minnich added two RBI, and Sam Baker scored a run and stole a base.
• Ellie Sauder struck out five and allowed just two hits over 3.0 innings as the starting pitcher. Alexa Huth earned the win, tossing 3.0 innings with three strikeouts while surrendering three hits.

(RV) INDIANA TECH 6, SAINT FRANCIS 2

• Saint Francis struck first again in game two, plating a run on an RBI single to right field. Indiana Tech answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.
• The Warriors added four more runs across the fourth and sixth innings to extend the advantage to 6-1. Saint Francis attempted a late rally in the seventh but was unable to close the gap, falling 6-2 to split the doubleheader.
• The Cougars recorded eight hits in game two. Robakowski went 2-4 with two doubles, while Viggiano and Bree Miller each added an extra-base hit. Macie Dowd and Haylee Schott each had an RBI.
• In the circle, Sauder was charged with the loss after allowing two runs in 3.0 innings of work. Kennedy Baioni and Schott combined for three strikeouts while surrendering four hits in relief.

Up next, the Cougars (1-1) will travel to Florida for seven games at The Space Coast Spring Games hosted at the USSSA Space Coast Complex on March 3-7. 

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at Saint Francis offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Creative Arts and Digital Media; Education, Human Services and Community Care; Leadership and Business; Nursing; and  Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, Saint Francis has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.