INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian softball team split their final doubleheader of the week on Saturday, as Marian earned a run-rule win over Mt. Vernon Nazarene in game one before falling in game two. Marian moves to 23-5 overall on the season and 11-3 in the Crossroads League following the the conclusion of their 14-game home stand.

Game 1 | Marian 8-0 Mt. Vernon Nazarene | 5 Innings
The Knights and Cougars matched each other in Saturday's first act with scoreless innings from both teams, as the starting pitchers Sheridan Sullivan and Olivia Stunkel traded turns in the circle. Stunkel stranded a hit in each of the first two innings as she racked up four strikeouts, while Sullivan retired Marian in order in their first two trips to the plate.

Stunkel stranded a runner in the third inning, and in the home half she got support from her offense with Grace Meyer ripping a single to wake up the bats. Hayley Greene drew a walk and Savannah Harweger was hit by a pitch to load the bases, allowing Brooke Knox to break the tie with an RBI single. Sierra Norman drew an RBI walk to end the inning, as Marian pushed ahead 2-0.

The Marian ace Stunkel worked out of trouble in the top of the fourth as an error and single allowed two runners to get into scoring position, but a pop up would end the frame to preserve the lead. After getting the hold, the Knights exploded at the plate, putting up six hits and five runs in the fourth inning to expand their lead. Meyer doubled to lead off the crooked inning and scored on an error for the team's third run, while an RBI single from Savannah Harweger added the fourth run. With two outs, Abby Madere recorded a two RBI single that saw Brooke Knox and Jenna Minnix score, while Norman closed the inning with an RBI base hit of her own. 

Stunkel would pitch a scoreless fifth inning as Marian looked to end the game early, scattering a single to left in the process. In the home half of the fifth, Meyer picked up her second double of the game, and after being replaced by Emily Phillips to run, a Jenna Minnix RBI single closed the game, as Phillips scored from third to cap the 8-0 run-rule victory.

Marian's ace pitcher Stunkel tossed her fourth complete game shutout of the season in the win, collecting her 13th victory of the season. The junior allowed four hits and retired five batters via the strikeout, throwing just 61 pitches in the five-inning game. Offensively Marian had 10 hits, with Meyer going a perfect 3-3 with two runs scored. Minnix went 2-3 in the win, while five other players had at least one hit. 

Game 2 | Marian 8-10 Mt. Vernon Nazarene
In the second act, Marian got a strong start from Macy Coan as she retired the side in order to start the game, while her offense scored a pair of runs without a hit in the home half of the first, as Lily Wendt recorded an RBI on one of four free passes in the inning, while Abby Madere scored on a passed ball. The strong offensive start didn't last long for Marian, as Mt. Vernon responded with three runs in the top of the second, as an error and three hits helped the Cougars take the lead. 

In the third inning Mt. Vernon again extended their lead as Coan surrendered three consecutive hits, with a double to Kenzie Hancock delivering the damaging blow. Trailing 5-3, the Knights were unable to respond as they went down in order in the third inning, and in the fourth saw two runners reach base after getting hit by a pitch, but again failed to record a timely hit. 

Coan kept Marian in the game as the bats came to the plate in the home half of the fifth inning, as the freshman stranded a double that led off the fifth inning. In the home half, a single for Abby Madere got Marian started, with Sierra Norman and Abbey Hofmann following on base after getting hit by a pitch. Wendt produced a quality at bat with the bases loaded, delivering a 2-RBI single up the middle of the field to tack on to Marian's totals. Wendt and Hofmann then executed a double steal which allowed the freshman to tie the game at 5-5. Grace Meyer draw a walk as the rally cry continued, and Hayley Greene finished off the inning with a double to the wall in left field, scoring two runs to give Marian a 7-5 lead.

Now pitching with a lead, Coan threw a scoreless inning in the sixth, and saw another run of support hit the plate in the bottom of the inning, as Abby Madere slammed a solo home run to make it an 8-5 game. The Knights would load the bases but were unable to add to their lead, which would turn problematic in the seventh inning as Coan allowed three consecutive singles to open the frame, with the third being an RBI hit. Olivia Stunkel came on in relief to make the final three outs, but her inherited situation would not end cleanly, as an error scored a run to make it a one-run contest. 

Stunkel was able to get a strikeout as she looked to avoid giving up the winning runs, but a home run hit by Kiera Mayer to left field scored three runs, as the junior's second long ball given up this season put Mt. Vernon Nazarene on top 10-8. Trialing in their final at bats, Marian managed a lone bunt single from Savannah Harweger, as they came up short in game two falling 10-8.

Marian had just six hits in game two, but drew seven walks and were hit by pitch five times. Harweger and Madere each had two hits, while Wendt led the team in RBI with three, as she walked twice. Meyer and Norman each walked twice in the loss, while Norman was also hit by a pitch. Coan allowed 12 hits and eight runs in the loss, five of which were earned. Stunkel took the loss as she blew the save opportunity, giving up two runs and two hits. Both of Marian's pitchers recorded two strikeouts.

The Knights go on the road after playing 14 consecutive games at home, traveling to Taylor for a 4:00 p.m. start on Tuesday.

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