JOLIET, Ill. - University of St. Francis got within one game of reaching the .500 mark but couldn't quite get there as the Saints' softball squad lost a 7-4 extra-inning contest in the nightcap to conference rival Judson following an 8-4 USF win in Thursday's first game.

The Saints (15-16, 5-5) scored four times in the second inning of game one and never looked back in the 8-4 win. Senior center fielder Kendel Behrens (Morris H.S./Morris, IL) had the big blow of the second inning with a bases-loaded double that plated three runs. Behrens finished the opener with a pair of hits and five run batted in.

Junior right fielder Kaylee Shell (Wilmington H.S./Wilmington, IL), senior first baseman Lynley Louzensky (Tinley Park H.S./Oak Forest, IL) and sophomore third baseman Jenny Festin (Lockport H.S./Lockport, IL) each added a pair of hits to USF's 11-hit attack.

Junior righthander Kim Malacina (Lockport H.S./Homer Glen, IL) improved her record to 8-6 with the complete game victory. She scattered 10 hits, allowed four earned runs, struck out four and walked only one batter.

The Saints spotted Judson a 4-run lead in the second inning of the second game but battled back with a run in the third, two more in the fifth and the game-tying run with two outs in the seventh to force extra innings.

Malacina's pinch-hit single drove in USF's first run and back-to-back doubles by senior second baseman Beth Boezeman (Lincoln-Way East H.S./Frankfort, IL) and junior catcher C.J. Rupsis (Bolingbrook H.S./Bolingbrook, IL) keyed the 2-run fifth.

Boezeman walked to lead off the seventh. She was sacrificed to second by Rupsis, moved to third on a ground out and then scored on a wild pitch.

Judson plated three runs in the top of the eighth off of starting and losing pitcher Jackie Frey (Plainfield South H.S./Plainfield, IL), but the Saints threatened to get those runs back in the bottom of the inning. USF loaded the bases with two outs but Boezeman struck out swinging to end the game.

Shell and Boezeman each had a pair of hits to lead the 9-hit effort by USF.

The loss in the nightcap snapped a 6-game USF winning streak. The Saints have won seven of their last nine and nine of their last 13 games.

The Saints play host to six other schools this Saturday and Sunday in the USF Spring Breast Cancer Fundraiser Tournament at Inwood. The tourney starts Saturday at 11 a.m. with USF playing its first game against Purdue North Central at 2:30 p.m.