Francis' Eighth Season Concludes in SAC Quarterfinals

**Author**: Preston Palm, Contributing Writer The first game started rather slow as neither team scored before the fourth inning. In a game where both teams are struggling offensively, a single run can be huge for momentum going forward for the rest of the game. The Drovers scored two runs in the fourth inning, ending the three-inning drought of runs from both teams: - **First run**: Triple from Sierra Selfridge, leading to a run from Jadyn Goucher - **Second run**: Single from Jaycee Kievit which led to a run from Selfridge With a 2-0 lead it felt like the Drovers had the momentum going into the fifth inning. That wasn't quite the case: - **Fifth inning**: Ravens scored one run (2-1 USAO) - **Sixth inning**: Both teams scored - Ravens briefly took 3-2 lead until Jaclyn Gray (SAC's player of the week) hit a homerun to tie 3-3 - **Seventh inning**: No scoring, game went to extra innings - **Eighth inning**: Still tied 3-3 - **Ninth inning**: Ravens scored two runs due to USAO error, won 5-3 - **Runs allowed**: 5 off 8 hits (only 2 earned) - **Pitches**: 140 total, 102 strikes The second game the Drovers looked to even the series and they did just that. USAO's pitcher, Abi Gregory threw her second no-hitter in her first season in consecutive games. - **First inning**: USAO scored first run off an error - **Third inning**: Two more runs - Macenzie Ruth scored off a passed ball - Malea McMurtrey crossed home plate after Goucher grounded out to shortstop - **Notable**: Gray earned a triple in the second game Gregory, the SAC's pitcher of the week: - **No-hitter**: Second consecutive no-hitter - **Pitches**: 111 total, 63 strikes - **USAO Record**: 12-6 overall, 2-0 SAC - **USAO Ranking**: #3 - **Opponent**: Benedictine Ravens (7-7, 0-0 HAAC) - **Game 1 Result**: Ravens 5, USAO 3 (9 innings) - **Game 2 Result**: USAO shutout win (no-hitter) - **Notable Players**: - Jaclyn Gray (SAC Player of the Week) - Abi Gregory (SAC Pitcher of the Week) - Sierra Selfridge (triple, defensive play)