INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian softball team picked up two more wins after the sweep of Huntington on Thursday afternoon. The pair of wins extends the Knights' win streak to 21, improving their overall record to 21-1 and 10-0 in Crossroads League play.
Game 1 | Marian 4-0 Huntington
Marian took a little bit to get going in game one, registering only two hits through the first four innings. Olivia Stunkel and her defense were on it to keep the visiting Foresters scoreless until the bats started to heat up for the Knights.
A single by Abby Madere got the offense flowing for Marian in the bottom of the fifth inning as Savannah Harweger singled down the middle two at bats later to advance Madere to second. A deep ball to center field by Jenna Minnix allowed Madere and Harweger to score, putting the Knights up 2-0 going into the sixth inning.
Stunkel continued her tear in the circle, going three up thee down in the top of the sixth. Marian's offense continued to produce in inning six as Mackenzie Dalton stepped in to pinch hit, singling to right field to give the Knights more cushion with the 4-0 lead going into the final inning of play.
The Knights had no issues finishing out as Stunkel worked through the Foresters' lineup yet again. Stunkel struck out the first batter before a pop up and ground out ended game one with Marian picking up the 4-0 victory.
In Marian's seven hits, Madere led the way with two, while also picking up a double and two RBI. Five different Knights notched one hit in the win. Sierra Norman also had herself a double, and Madere added two RBI. Stunkel improved her record to 10-0 after her five strikeouts, giving up no runs, and allowing only three hits.
Game 2 | Marian 5-3 Huntington
Huntington came out firing the bats to start the game as they got bases loaded, but Sydney Wilson stayed calmed and managed to force the ground out to third base to get out of the inning. Marian responded in the bottom of the first with an RBI single from Hayley Greene starting the action before Minnix scored on the next play.
Wilson worked quick in inning two, facing only three batters before the Knights tacked on another run off a Grace Meyer double to go ahead 2-0. Huntington got their first two runs of the day after a fielder's choice and a single through the left side.
With the one-run lead, Marian extended their advantage to two after Brenna Fink came in to pinch hit, where she picked up the RBI.
After a scoreless fourth inning for both sides, the Foresters found themselves another run after an RBI double to right field. However, it was the Knights answering once again with Harweger sending in Anna Prtichett on her double to give Marian the 5-3 lead going into inning six.
Marian's defense continued to prove successful as they allowed just one hit in the final two innings, guiding them to the 5-3 win.
Harweger, Madere, and Anna Pritchett all recorded two hits in the Knights' 11 total hits, with Harweger, Meyer and Madere all recording a double. Wilson pitched all seven innings, allowing three runs to improve to 9-0 on the season.
Marian will travel to Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Saturday for their next game, with first pitch set for 1 p.m.
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