KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Catholic University of America executed a perfect suicide squeeze bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning to score the game-winning run and hand University of St. Francis its second loss of the afternoon on day number three of the Saints' season-opening softball trip to Florida. CUA knocked off the Saints, 3-2, after Missouri Baptist University handed the Saints an 8-3 loss.

USF (2-4) held a 2-1 lead over CUA (1-2) in the bottom of the seventh and was just three outs away from its third split in as many days. But a leadoff home run in that seventh inning by CUA tied the game and sent it into extra frames.

USF left the lead run on third base in the top of the eighth but CUA was able to push the run across and hand Saints' starting pitcher Kim Malacina (Lockport H.S./Homer Glen, IL) her first loss in three decisions. Malacina did fire her third straight complete game and allowed only 2 earned runs on 4 hits with 4 strikeouts and 1 walk in 7.1 innings.

The Saints managed to get just 4 hits in the second game, with sophomore second baseman Megan O’Brien (Richards H.S./Oak Lawn, IL) collecting 2 of them and driving home 1 of USF's 2 runs in the game. Freshman left fielder Kalli Tobias (Lincoln-Way Central H.S./Manhattan, IL) had a hit and USF's other RBI and junior center fielder Kaylee Shell (Wilmington H.S./Wilmington, IL) accounted for the other hit.

USF trailed all the way against Missouri Baptist (7-8). The Saints did collect 7 hits in the game, with senior center fielder Kendel Behrens (Morris H.S./Morris, IL) and sophomore third baseman Jenny Festin (Lockport H.S./Lockport, IL) each getting a pair of hits apiece to lead the offensive attack.

Senior right-handed pitcher Beth Boezeman (Lincoln-Way East H.S./Frankfort, IL) worked the first 4-plus innings and suffered the loss to fall to 0-2.

The Saints are off on Wednesday and resume action on Thursday with two more games on this 12-game trip.