For information on all Saint Francis University sports, see Saint Francis Red Flash
The Saint Francis Red Flash softball team represents Saint Francis University in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Northeast Conference (NEC). The Red Flash are currently were most recently led by head coach Beth Krysiak. The team plays its home games at Red Flash Softball Field, which is located on the college's campus.
History After nearly four decades of minimal success, the Red Flash rose to prominence in the Northeast Conference after the hiring of former coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift and current head coach Jessica O'Donnell. Patrick-Swift left the team after the 2018 season. The program won five NEC tournament championships from 2017 to 2022, as the 2020 NEC tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program also won the NEC regular season championship in 2017, 2018, and from 2021 until 2023. By winning the NEC tournament, the program qualified for the NCAA Division I softball tournament.
In the 2017 NCAA tournament, the Red Flash won their first NCAA tournament game in program history, defeating New Mexico State by a score of 8-4 before being eliminated from the tournament by South Carolina. They were eliminated in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022 without winning a game and scoring only six runs in eight total games, but won its second ever game in 2024.
In 2021, former third baseman Mekenzie Saban was named to Softball America's All-American Third-team. In 2022, Saban was named Northeast Conference Player of the Year, while pitcher Rachel Marsden was named Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year.
On June 21, 2023, head coach Jessica O'Donnell announced her departure from the program to become the head coach of Kent State. Beth Krysiak was named as the new Red Flash head coach on August 9, 2023.
Coaching history 1986–1990 Tom Cicero 67–85 1991–1993 Terry Bennett 27–51 1994–1998 Rudy Galayda 93–122–2 1999 Christy Cameron 16–28 2000 Missy Radaker 22–20 2001 Brock Radaker 19–24 2002 Michelle Kozak 28–24–1 2003–2004 Laura Cymmerman 22–62 2005–2006 Erin Layton 29–74 2007–2011 Sabrina Lane 87–172 2012–2018 Jennifer Patrick-Swift 226–152 2019–2023 Jessica O’Donnell 137–101 2024–2025 Beth Krysiak 67–40
Roster 2024 Saint Francis Red Flash roster Pitchers 5 – Allie Braly – Freshman 7 – Olivia Kolowitz – Freshman 24 – Rachel Marsden – Graduate Student 9 – Grace Vesco – Graduate Student
Catchers 27 – Annabelle Farmer – Freshman
Outfielders 11 – Lauren Aubry – Graduate Student 22 – Sydney Baker – Senior 15 – Savannah Nash – Sophomore 12 – Ashley Wruble – Graduate Student Infielders 20 – Brianna Sawyers – Sophomore 17 – Olivia Ulam – Junior
Utility 2 – Hannah Bendle – Freshman 25 – Aliya Garroway – Freshman 19 – Lexi Hernandez – Senior 28 – Madelynn Kessler – Freshman 10 – Ashley Orischak – Senior 26 – Kaylie Walters – Freshman 3 – Madelyn Wilson – Freshman Reference:
Season-by-season results
Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
See also List of NCAA Division I softball programs
References
External links