Box Score Game 1 | Box Score Game 2

LORETTO, Pa. -- The Lafayette offense was held in check by strong pitching performances in St. Francis' (Pa.) doubleheader sweep (5-0, 9-1) of the Leopards on Thursday afternoon. Lafayette was limited to eight hits in two games as the Leopards played their sixth game in three days over spring break.

In the first game, St. Francis led from the outset, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. The Red Flash plated one in the first on a first and third steal play that ended the inning, but not until after Sierra McKee (2-for-2) scored on the play. A sac fly in the second allowed Jordan Seneca to score and give the hosts a 2-0 advantage.

St. Francis (17-12) created some breathing room with three runs in the fifth inning. With Madison Cabell aboard, Seneca lifted a 3-2 offering over the wall in left field for the 5-0 advantage. The Red Flash added two more runs in the sixth to extend the final to 7-0.

Stephanie Thomas (1-7) took the loss, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in 5.1 innings. Lindsey Cherry threw the final two-thirds of an inning and did not allow a hit. Alexis Bower (6-4) collected the win, tossing five innings while allowing two hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

Morgan Biddle, Allison Brown and Brooke Wensel all had singles for the visitors.

In the second game, St. Francis pounded out four runs in the first inning and never looked back in a 9-1 final. Hayley Norton smacked a two-run home run off Lafayette starter Stacy Gordon and Cabell tripled in another run.

McKee used the long ball in the second, as St. Francis surged to a 5-0 lead.

The Leopards got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning. With two runners in scoring position, Brooke Wensel (2-for-3) plated a run with an infield single. The next batter, Bryn Gornick also singled to load the bases. St. Francis starting pitcher Ketarah DeVries struck out the next two batters, stranding three Leopard runners while leading 5-1.

The hosts added two more runs in the fifth and sixth innings to push the final to 9-1. Gordon (2-1) threw four innings in the loss, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits with a strikeout. Cherry had her second relief performance of the day, allowing two runs on three hits in 1.2 inning.

Lafayette (6-13) opens Patriot League play this weekend with a three-game series against Lehigh. The Leopards will play a Saturday doubleheader beginning at noon and a single game on Easter Sunday at noon.