MARION, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) softball team won a close 12-10 battle to close out a league doubleheader at No. 15 Indiana Wesleyan University on Friday, March 21. 

USF split with IWU, falling 13-0 in game one before rallying to take game two. 

INDIANA WESLEYAN 13, SAINT FRANCIS 0 (5 INNINGS)

• The Wildcats took an early 7-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to a sacrifice fly, an RBI single and a two-run double.
• In the bottom of the third inning, Indiana Wesleyan added six more runs, bringing the score to 13-0.
• The Cougars were unable to score, leading to a final result of 13-0 in favor of the Wildcats in game one.
• As a team, Saint Francis had six hits, with Madyson Minnich going 2-3 at the plate with an extra-base hit. 
• Ellie Sauder took the loss for USF, giving up five hits over 1.2 innings pitched.

SAINT FRANCIS 12, INDIANA WESLEYAN 10

• The Cougars were first to get on the scoreboard, with Madisyn Miller and Minnich driving in four runs to make it 4-0 in the top of the first inning. 
• The Wildcats responded by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first, cutting USF's lead to 4-2.
• Macie Dowd hit a sac fly to right field, resulting in an error that allowed Anna Smith to score, increasing the Cougars' lead to 5-2.
• After IWU tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the second inning, USF took back the lead with two RBI singles from Brooklyn McCord and Smith, bringing the score to 8-5.
• In the top of the fourth inning, Miller hit another RBI single, this time to center field, extending the Cougars' lead to 9-6.
• IWU, however, tied the game once again at 9-9 in the bottom of the fourth.
• In the fifth inning, Abby Robakowski hit a double, and Sam Baker scored due to an error by the shortstop, allowing USF to regain a one-run lead.
• Minnich hit her first home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth inning, extending Saint Francis's lead to 11-9.
• IWU managed to score one run in the bottom of the sixth, but Dowd hit a fly ball to right field in the top of the seventh, scoring Baker.
• The Cougars' defense held the Wildcats scoreless in the bottom of the seventh inning as USF secured the two-run win to improve to 5-3 in Crossroads Leauge play.
• USF had nine hits and 10 walks. Minnich hit 3-4 with a home run, three RBI and a stolen base. 
• Alexa Huth got the win in the circle after throwing a complete game in game two. 

Up next, the Cougars (12-6, 5-3) will have four home doubleheaders next week, starting with two games against Spring Arbor University on Tuesday, March 25. 

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