STEUBENVILLE – The Franciscan University Lady Barons softball team celebrated Senior Night in exciting fashion by winning the final game of a doubleheader 6-5 against conference rival University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Tuesday afternoon. Franciscan lost the first game 3-1. The Lady Barons now hold an overall record of 3-23, and 2-16 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

This was the final home game for seniors Krista Bertke, Bethany Fischer, Kate Rich, and Katie Quitney.           

In the second game victory, the Pitt-Greensburg Panthers came out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. But Franciscan was relentless. They started chipping away, getting one run back in the third inning, and taking off for five runs in the fifth inning. One more run in the sixth for Franciscan would prove to be the game decider. In the top of the seventh inning, the Panthers came roaring back to score three consecutive runs to cut the lead to one. But the Lady Barons were able to register the final out, stranding two runners at the corners to end the exciting game.

Shelbi Linscomb had an outstanding performance, throwing her second complete game of the day. She gave up five earned runs off eight hits while striking out a career-high nine batters.

Quitney and Fischer both shined from the plate in their final home game. Quitney went 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Fischer went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs of her own. Emily Whiteside and Amanda Ruwart each drove in a run as well.

In the first game, Franciscan blanked Pitt-Greensburg until the fourth inning, when the Panthers scored two runs. They added an insurance run in the fifth, though they would not need it. The Lady Barons were held in check by Emily Dempsey and Michelle Love, who only gave up two hits and one run in a combined pitching effort for Pitt-Greensburg. Linscomb pitched very well for Franciscan, giving up only two earned runs off of six hits while striking out seven. She doubled at bat while Quitney singled for the only Franciscan hits of the game.

Coach Jen Biela was very excited for her team:

“I'm very proud of the way the girls played. We played pretty well in the first game, but we really came out hitting, running, and scoring in the second. The way we came back was great. And to do it on Senior Night was very special. Shelbi [Linscomb] pitched really well. She had to dig down deep in that second game and she gave it all she had. And [Katie] Quitney played really well leading the team.”

The three seniors were honored in between games. Quitney, Bertke, and Fischer all played three seasons with the team and have seen the program grow first hand.

“It's been a fight,” commented Quitney. “But it has been a good fight. It's really awesome to be able to play for the glory of God. We've grown so close over these three years. It has been a privilege to play for Franciscan University.”

Quitney and her teammates will suit up for a final doubleheader, as they travel to face conference foe Hilbert College on Saturday, May 1. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.