ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Junior right fielder Claire Krotine hit 3-for-3 with a double and a stolen base, but St. Francis managed just two other hits while committing four errors in an 11-1 loss to Oakmont to kick off the 2024 varsity softball season Tuesday.
The Troubadours' junior varsity squad was not in action, as that game was canceled earlier in the month.
The Vikings pushed across four runs in the first inning and three more in the second before SF could get on the board. However, the Troubies did have opportunities prior. Alexis McFarland led off the game by getting hit by a 1-0 pitch, then Francesca Guerrera walked before Krotine reached on a bunt single. But McFarland was caught stealing while Guerrera and Krotine were stranded.
St. Francis managed base runners in the second, but neither came around to score. The lone Troubie run came in the third. Guerrera slashed a 2-0 pitch for a double to lead off the frame, then scored on Krotine's first-pitch single on the next at-bat. Krotine made her way to third on a pop-up but Oakmont pitcher Emilee Monell escaped the jam.
The Vikings eventually scored three in the fifth inning to invoke the 10-run rule, ending the game on a bases-loaded walk.
St. Francis returns to action on Monday with a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader at Del Oro.
