INDIANAPOLIS – Scoreless through the first five innings, the Marian softball team found runs late to win their first game of the NAIA Opening Round Monday afternoon. The Knights took down Tennessee Wesleyan 3-0 to improve to 46-6 on the year, and will play Columbia College in Tuesday's winner bracket game.
It was a pitcher's duel with Tennessee Wesleyan to start the game, as Olivia Stunkel battled against Cheyenne Strong. The Bulldogs were the first to strike, registering a single to start the game before adding another single. A strikeout by Stunkel and a foul out put away the inning, but the Knights went three up three down in the bottom of the inning to start.
Marian struggled to find their bats to start, as they were unable to pick up a hit through the first three innings. The Knights' offense started to come alive in the bottom half of the fourth inning, with Abby Madere picking up the first hit with a single to left field. However, a fly out on the next play would leave Madere stranded, leaving the game scoreless after four complete.
Stunkel and the Marian defense worked the Bulldogs one-two-three to start the fifth inning, but Tennessee Wesleyan returned the favor leaving two Marian runners on base. The defense continued to prove strong for the Knights, as they gave up no hits to keep the score locked at 0-0.
The Knights got hot in the bottom of the sixth inning with Savannah Harweger leading off with a bunt single, before she advanced on Anna Pritchett's sacrifice bunt. Madere stepped up next, singling up the middle to send Harweger home and give Marian their first run of the game. The scoring continued for the Knights with a Grace Meyer double scoring Madere and Sierra Norman, tacking on two more runs.
With the 3-0 cushion, all Marian needed was three outs to put away Tennessee Wesleyan. A fly out to Savannah Baker in right field and a foul out to Meyer behind the plate gave the Knights their first two outs. Stunkel grabbed the last out with her fifth strikeout of the game to guide Marian to the 3-0 victory.
Madere led with two hits, with Harweger and Meyer each adding one. Meyer had two RBI and a double to lead the Knights, while Madere picked up one RBI. Stunkel threw a complete game to pick up her 24th win. The sophomore pitcher dished out five strikeouts in her seven innings.
Marian will be back in action tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. when they take on Columbia College.
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