JOLIET, Ill. - University of St. Francis played an extra inning in both of its Saturday games and split the two decisions on the first day of the 2010 USF Spring Breast Cancer Fundraiser Tournament at the Inwood Softball Complex.

 

The Saints (16-18, 5-5) knocked off Purdue North Central, 6-4, and then dropped a 5-4 contest to Robert Morris in the last game of the day.

 

USF never trailed PNC in its first game and led all the way until the final inning when the Panthers scored a pair of runs after two outs to tie the contest and force it into extra innings.

 

The Saints initially took the lead with a three-run fourth inning that included a run-scoring double from senior right fielder Caitlin Griffin (Andrew H.S./Tinley Park, IL) and an RBI single off the bat of sophomore third baseman Brittany Bochenek (Lockport H.S./Lockport, IL).

                                                  

USF made it 4-0 in the fifth when sophomore second baseman Megan O'Brien (Richards H.S./Oak Lawn, IL) led off the inning with her second hit of the game and scored one out later on a double by freshman pitcher Jordan Halata (Lockport H.S./Homer Glen, IL).

 

PNC tallied two runs in the bottom of the fifth and then knotted the game in the bottom of the seventh. The Saints scored twice in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI single by senior first baseman Lynley Louzensky (Tinley Park H.S./Oak Forest, IL) and a sacrifice fly from freshman catcher Kaitlin Nolan (Wilmington H.S./Wilmington, IL).

 

Halata (2-1) pitched all eight innings for the Saints and struck out three with only one walk. She scattered nine hits. O'Brien was the lone Saint with as many as two hits in the game.

 

USF held early 1-0 and 3-1 leads on Robert Morris in the nightcap but a three-run third inning propelled the Eagles to a 4-3 lead. The score stayed that way until USF tied it in the seventh inning with a run that scored on a two-out wild pitch.

 

Junior second baseman Kaylee Shell (Wilmington H.S./Wilmington, IL) accounted for the first run of the game. She led the contest off with a bunt single and advanced to second on an errant throw. O'Brien sacrificed Shell to third and Shell then scampered home on a sacrifice fly by senior pitcher Beth Boezeman (Lincoln-Way East H.S./Frankfort, IL).

 

After Robert Morris tied the game in the bottom of the second inning, Shell again ignited a Saints' rally in the third. She laid down a one-out bunt single, stole second and then scored when Boezeman reached base on an error by the RMU shortstop. Boezeman later came home on a base hit by junior catcher C.J. Rupsis (Bolingbrook H.S./Bolingbrook, IL).

 

Robert Morris took the lead with three unearned runs off of Boezeman in the third. 

 

The Saints stayed alive in the seventh when junior Caitlin Dolan (Lincoln-Way East H.S./Frankfort, IL) lined a two-out single to left field and advanced all the way to third when the ball was misplayed by the RMU left fielder. Dolan then scored to tie the game three pitches later on a wild pitch.

 

USF failed to score in the top of the eighth, but this time it was the Eagles' turn to take advantage of a wild pitch as they notched the winning run in that fashion with one out in the frame.

 

Boezeman (1-4) went all the way on the mound for USF and was charged with just one earned run on five hits. She struck out three and walked none.

 

Shell and Rupsis each had a pair of hits for USF, who outhit Robert Morris 7-5 for the game.

 

Junior shortstop Lauren Panek (Lemont H.S./Lemont, IL) had a hit in each game as well as a sacrifice bunt that helped lead to the game-winning run in the eighth inning of the first contest.

The tournament continues on Sunday with seven more games to be played. USF is scheduled to play three times. The Saints face St. Ambrose (IA) at 10 a.m., Hannibal-La Grange (MO) at 1:30 p.m. and Cardinal Stritch (WI) at 5 p.m.

 

Saturday's other games were highlighted by three wins for NAIA No. 3 Bethel (IN). The Pilots (32-2-1) defeated Purdue North Central, 6-2, Hannibal-La Grange 4-1 and Robert Morris, 9-4. RMU won two of three games, defeating Cardinal Stritch 4-2 and USF with its only loss coming to Bethel. Hannibal La Grange knocked off Cardinal Stritch 4-3 and PNC 7-5 and also lost only to Bethel. Cardinal Stritch was 0-2 on the day.