Columbus, Ga. - The Marian softball team saw their historic run at the 2023 NAIA Softball World Series come to an untimely end on Tuesday evening, as the Knights fell in the elimination bracket to Oregon Tech by an 8-5 score. Marian's loss ends the season with a record of 52-9.

Marian had the early momentum in the game after Sydney Wilson's defense made three tremendous outs in the top half of the first, with the bats igniting with a two-out double from Abby Madere. Sierra Norman and Hayley Greene would reach to load the bases, but a strikeout from Oregon Tech's Kacie Schmidt ending the frame with three runners on. 

Both teams were retired in order in the second, and in the third the Owls jumped on Wilson, rattling off five consecutive base hits against the senior that drove in three runs. Olivia Stunkel was called in out of the bullpen to get out of the jam, and did so getting three consecutive outs to escape the inning. After allowing the three runs, Marian's offense got into gear in the home half inning, with Savannah Harweger walking to lead off the frame. Abby Madere roped her second double of the game to score Harweger, and the inning continued with a towering home run to dead center by Sierra Norman, with her swing tying the game. Marian kept the inning going as Greene was hit in the next at bat, with Grace Meyer following with a single. Savannah Baker slammed an RBI double to push Marian in front, and Lily Wendt capped the big inning with a sacrifice fly, ending the frame with the Knights leading 5-3. 

Oregon Tech immediately threatened to go back in front as they loaded the bases against Stunkel, but the infield helped make the final outs to keep the Owls off the board. Marian's lead vanished in the fifth inning, as an error and two hits against Stunkel allowed the Owls to put up four more runs. An infield groundout ended the inning, and in the home half the Knights were able to only manage a walk as the fifth inning went by with Oregon Tech on top 7-5.

Two hits in the top of the sixth helped bring around one more run for Oregon Tech, putting the Knights behind 8-5. Marian was unable to to score in the sixth inning, with the score remaining the same after Jaylah Guilliam pitched a scoreless seventh. In their final at bat Sierra Norman and Hayley Greene each hit singles to try and rally, but a pop out and strikeout would end the game with the tying run at the plate, ending Marian's season with the 8-5 defeat. 

Madere led the Knights at the plate in the final game of the season, going 3-4 with an RBI and two doubles. Norman went 2-3 with a home run, and Baker and Meyer each had one hit. Stunkel took the loss in the game, allowing four hits and five total runs in four innings of work. Wilson allowed three runs and five hits in her two-plus innings of work.

Marian ends their season with a record of 52-9, winners of the 2023 Crossroads League Softball Regular Season and Tournament Championships, along with a NAIA Opening Round Championship. Marian won seven games in the NAIA Tournament and finished with a record of 7-3 in the NAIA Postseason, setting a program record for NAIA Tournament wins in a single season. 

MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos and more.