MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Marian softball team continued their success in Florida, earning a pair of wins. The Knights walked away with a commanding 8-1 victory against Lourdes in the morning game before finishing off Trinity Christian in extra innings in game two. Marian's pair of wins moves their overall record to 7-1.
Marian 8-1 Lourdes
Runs came early and often for Marian, as Sierra Norman singled through the left side to get things rolling. Savannah Baker hit a single to right field to advance Norman and Savannah Harweger up a bag to put runners in scoring position. The Knights were left on base after the Gray Wolves managed to get the third out by tagging the base. Sydney Wilson and her defense made quick work in the bottom of the first, seeing four batters in the frame and allowing one hit.
The Knights executed off some poor defense by Lourdes, registering five runs and one hit to take the 5-0 lead. Marian's defense however was quite the opposite compared to their opponent as Wilson and her team put away four batters and picked up a strikeout.
After five quick runs, Marian went scoreless for the next four innings. Wilson continued her strong start as she held Lourdes scoreless through six innings, striking out two batters. The Knights' offensive tear picked back up in the seventh inning with Anna Pritchett reaching on a fielder's choice. Pritchett was able to steal, making her way to second before Harweger tripled to left center sending two runners in. With the Knights up 7-0, Jenna Minnix stepped up to plate and batted her way to a single, sending Harweger home. Lourdes managed to finally put a stop to the Marian offense before their final chance at a comeback.
Abigail McPherson stepped up the mound in the final inning to put away the Gray Wolves as she faced four batters and helped seal the 8-0 win.
As a team the Knights recorded nine hits in their 8-0 victory, with Minnix recording three hits and Norman having two, while Harweger and Minnix each picked up two RBI. Wilson got her third win of the season after throwing two strikeouts in her six innings pitched. McPherson pitched the final inning, tossing in one strikeout and allowing no hits.
Marian 2-1 Trinity Christian
Both teams got out to a bit of sluggish start to begin as the first inning saw three up and three down on both sides. Marian saw a little more action in inning two after Grace Meyer singled up the middle before Abbi Wirey singled to advance Meyer. However, Trinity Christian would put away the Knights' next batter.
Olivia Stunkel continued to work quick and maintained her perfect start, while the Marian offense still was looking for some ignition. The Knights recorded six more hits through the next four innings, but were unable to execute off any of their chances.
Deadlocked at 0-0, Marian had one last inning to put themselves on the board but the Trolls' defense kept the Knights scoreless. Stunkel came up big in the bottom of the seventh inning by taking down her three batters face to send the game into extra innings.
Marian got the bats rolling how they needed when Minnix had the sacrifice bunt to put Harweger in scoring position. The Knights took the 1-0 lead after Norman poked the RBI single up the middle before Hayley Greene doubled to center to send one more run in for Marian. With the 2-0 lead at hand, the Trolls made the catch in centerfield to put the inning away and give themselves one more chance. Trinity Christian found their first run after a single was hit down the left side, allowing runners to advance on the throw. Stunkel and the Marian defense held strong and finished out the game to win 2-1.
Stunkel was flawless on the mound, pitching all eight innings and giving up only one hit while striking out six batters. Meyer and Norman each had two hits, while Norman and Greene each added an RBI.
Marian will return to action on Friday morning, taking on Cleary and Lawrence Tech. Game one start time is 9 a.m., followed by the second game at 2 p.m.
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