Franciscan 5, Southern Virginia 1 – Game 1
 
Franciscan Lineup
1. Weiss 2nd, 2. K. Thompson rf, 3. Carrazco ss, 4. Pokryfke 3b, 5. Massey lf, 6. Fluharty dp, 7. Cooper cf, 8. Roach 3b, 9. Cross c, 10. E. Thompson p
 
SVU Lineup
1. McDaniel rf, 2. Barber 3b, 3. Peyton lf, 4. Badell c, 5. Johnson 2b, 6 Nase 1b, 7. Christens, 8. Phillips ss, 9. Webster cf
 
How It Happened
Franciscan University opened the season on a winning note, defeating Southern Virginia on Friday, March 6 by a score of 5-1. 
 
The Lady Barons offense hit the ground running with Allyson Weiss leading of the game with a single into center field. After Weiss stole second, Kathleen Thompson singled into center field, and after an error by the Knights, Weiss scored the game's first run. Later in the inning with Thompson on third base, Jenny Massey hit a hard ground ball to second base, allowing Thompson to score. 
 
Two runs would be plenty for Lady Barons pitcher Elizabeth Thompson who was making her first collegiate start. Thompson would strike out seven batters and issue only one walk in her seven innings of action. 
 
Southern Virginia would capitalize on a walk and an error to score a run in the second inning. Franciscan would answer right back in the top of the third inning. Kathleen Thompson reached base on an error by the Knights third baseman and stole third base putting herself in scoring position. Faith Pokryfke would hit a hard ground ball to the short stop allowing Thompson to score. 
 
The Lady Barons would continue to grow the lead in the fifth inning. With two outs, Pokryfke single and stole second base. Massey singled to center field allowing Pokryfke to score. Franciscan added on one more insurance run in the seventh inning, when Massey singled to drive in Kathleen Thompson.
 
Meanwhile in the circle, Elizabeth Thompson continued to cruise not allowing a single baserunner in the final four innings completing the programs first ever no hitter. 
 
At the Plate
- The Lady Barons offense was led by Jenny Massey who recorded a pair of singles and drove in three runs
- Rachel Cooper recorded the Lady Barons lone extra base hit, tripling down the right field line
- Kathleen Thompson reached base three times recording a pair of singles and scoring three runs
- Faith Pokryfke drove in a run and recorded a single
 
Inside the Circle
- Elizabeth Thompson got her first collegiate start and made the most of it throwing a no hitter. Thompson struck out seven while issue just one walk
 
Around the Diamond
- Kathleen Thompson swiped four bases
- Allyson Weiss, Dennise Carrazco, and Faith Pokryfke each stole a base
- Three fielding errors hurt the Knights 
  Franciscan 3, Southern Virginia 2 – Game 2 
 
Franciscan Lineup
1. Weiss 2b, 2. Thompson rf, 3. Fluharty 3b, 4. Pokryfke 1b, 5. Massey lf, 6. Cooper cf, 7. Roach DP, 8. Cross c, 9. Carrazco ss, 10. Keating, p
 
SVU Lineup
1. Christens cf, 2. Barber c, 3. Stites lf, 4. Badell dp, 5. Johnson 2b, 6. Nase 1b, 7. Dolan rf, 8. Phillips 3b, 9. Webster ss, 10. Daniels p
 
How It Happened
The Lady Barons reset for the nightcap of their double header against Southern Virginia and rallied to pick up a 3-2 victory.
 
In game two Franciscan turned to pitcher Sarah Keating. Keating allowed a run in the first inning, but quickly settled in recording six strikeouts in seven innings of action. 
 
The Lady Barons trailed 1-0 entering the fourth inning when the offense finally broke through. Faith Pokryfke reached on an error by the Knights right fielder. Rachel Cooper singled to move Pokryfke into scoring position. Mary Roach reached base on a fielding error, allowing Pokryfke to score and tie the game at one.
 
The game would remain tied at one entering the sixth inning. Jenny Massey led off the inning with a single. Cooper followed with single of her own to put two runners on base. Massey would get caught stealing third, but Cooper swiped second and third bases to move herself into scoring position. Mary Roach laid down a sacrifice bunt allowing Cooper to score and giving Franciscan a 2-1 lead. 
 
Allyson Weiss added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. Weiss doubled off the left field fence, stole third base on the next pitch, and scored on a Knights error. 
 
Keating looked to close out the victory for the Lady Barons, and with the help of several outstanding catches by center field Cooper, Franciscan held on for the 3-2 victory. With the victory Keating became Franciscan career wins leader. 

At the Plate
- The Lady Barons offense was led by Allyson Weiss who smashed two doubles off the outfield fence
- Mary Roach recorded the team's lone RBI, laying down a sacrifice bunt in the sixth inning. 
- Rachel Cooper recorded two singles and scored a run
- Jenny Massey went 2-3, recording a pair of singles
- Dennise Carrazco crush a double off the left field fence
 
Inside the Circle
- Sarah Keating picked up the win for the Lady Barons, becoming the programs career leader in wins in the process. Keating allowed two runs on six hits while striking out six 
 
Around the Diamond
- Rachel Cooper continued to put her speed on display stealing two more bases and making six excellent catches in center field
- Dennis Carrazco and Allyson Weiss each swiped a base
 
Who's Next?
Franciscan University will continue their road trip, traveling to face Mary Baldwin University on Friday March 7 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

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