Loretto, Pa. – Kindra Witthus roped a two-out bases loaded single through the left side in the bottom of the seventh to give the top-seed Saint Francis Red Flash a 4-3 win over the Robert Morris University softball team in the opening game of the 2017 Northeast Conference Tournament at Red Flash Field in Loretto, Pa.
 
The five through nine hitters in the Colonials lineup went 6-for-17 with Taylor Bartlow accounting for two hits, both singles. Kaitlin Ellzy took the loss in the circle as she battled out of jams throughout the game. The sophomore allowed eight hits and walked eight while giving up just three earned runs to the league's most potent offense.
 
Sierra McKee and Madison Cabell went 5-for-6 in the heart of the Red Flash lineup, McKee hitting safely in three at-bats. Abby Trahan, who came on in relief in the fourth inning, got the win with 3.1 innings of work and allowed three hits. Starter Ethel Santai went 3.2 inning and was charged with all three RMU runs.
 
Holding a 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, things looked good for the Colonials when Ellzy got the leadoff batter to ground out to Lorusso at third. McKee quickly changed that outlook with a solo homer to centerfield, her sixth dinger of the season tying the game at 3-3.
 
Cabell followed with a double before an error allowed Kassidy Troxell to reach safely. Ellzy's eighth walk of the afternoon loaded the bases for Saint Francis. A hard hit ball in the hole on the left side was fielded by Natalie Higgins who was able to cut down a run at home for the second out. Witthus, however, came through with a 1-1 base hit into left field that gave the host Red Flash a 4-3 win.
 
Ellzy struggled to find the zone early issuing three first inning walks. Troxell made her pay with a two-run single through the right side that gave the top-seeded Red Flash a 2-0 lead.
 
The Colonials chipped away in the second when Olivia Lorusso and Bartlow pulled off the double steal. RMU would then take the lead, 3-2, in the fourth inning. Higgins opened the frame with a single before a walk and error loaded the bases. Miller came through in the clutch, lacing a two-run scoring double off the left field fence.
 
Robert Morris will play the loser of the other first round game that takes place this afternoon between Sacred Heart and Wagner. That contest is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12.