Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Viera, Fla. - The Marian softball team got back in their groove on Thursday night, winning twice by run-rule margins over Cleary and Hannibal LaGrange. The two convincing wins move Marian to 7-1 overall on the season.

Game 1 | Marian 8-0 Cleary | Five Innings
Olivia Stunkel got the Knights rolling in their first game on Thursday with a four-batter first inning, stranding a lead-off walk at third base. The offense then got to work immediately, as Abbey Hofmann walked and stole second, eventually strolling to third on a sacrifice bunt. After Abby Madere was hit by a pitch, the Knights executed a double steal, with Hofmann swiping the plate. The bats then went to work, as Grace Meyer, Lily Wendt, and Hayley Greene each smacked an RBI double, helping the Knights end the opening inning with a 4-0 lead.

Stunkel again worked quick in the second inning as she shook off a single, and in the bottom half Anna Pritchett scored, as the Cougars committed an error that allowed the speedy outfielder to score from first base. The third inning went by quietly, and in the fourth Stunkel was challenged as she hit her first batter in the inning, while following with consecutive infield singles to load the bases. The senior pitcher responded with a pair of strikeouts and a fly out, stranding the bases full to keep the shutout in tact. 

Marian's offense extended the lead to eight in the bottom of the fourth, driving home three runs in the inning. Jenna Minnix recorded an RBI groundout in a pinch-hit role, and Lily Wendt scored two runs with a two-out single. Katie Lackman would come on to pitch the fifth inning with an 8-0 lead secured, and the sophomore needed just four batters to close the game, allowing a single before getting two ground outs and a line out to seal the victory.

Stunkel moved to 4-0 on the season with the win, allowing three hits and two walks, while recording two strikeouts in the victory. Wendt went 2-3 at the plate with a game-high three RBI, with the Knights recording four total doubles in the win. Lackman closed out the game in the circle, allowing one hit in her third appearance of the season. 

Game 2 | Marian 15-1 Hannibal-LaGrange | Five Innings
The Knights dominated offensively in game two of the night, attacking the Trojans early with six runs in the first inning on six hits. Grace Meyer broke the scoring open with a two-RBI single that scored Anna Pritchett and Abbey Hofmann, while Lily Wendt scored her teammate with an RBI double. Caroline Roop followed with an RBI single, and Brooke Knox capped the first inning fireworks with a two-RBI double.

Marian then turned to the bench in the second inning, replacing the majority of their lineup with their reserve fielders, still producing at a high volume. Wendt remained in the game in the second and clobbered her second RBI double of the game to score Emily Collins, and Brenna Fink slammed an RBI single to complete the inning. In the third inning the Knights broke loose for six runs once again, starting their frame with a triple from Jenna Minnix. Minnix scored on Mystic Means RBI single, and as the inning prolonged Fink and Alyssa Donaldson each recorded RBI hits. Emily Phillips capped the third inning scoring with an RBI single to put the Knights on top 14-0, while the final run of the game was scored in the top of the fourth as Karly Anderons recorded an RBI groundout. 

Defensively, the Knights were rarely threatened, as Macy Coan started the game by pitching a perfect first inning. Alayna Tesnar came on in the second and retired the side in order, while in the third the freshman scattered two singles to keep the shutout in tact. Lauren Mayer closed the game in the circle, pitching the fourth and fifth innings. Mayer was flawless in the fourth inning, but in the fifth lost a late battle at the plate, giving up a two-out RBI single before ending the 15-1 game with a flyout. 

Jenna Minnix was the star at the plate in the win, going 3-4 with two runs scored and a triple, doing so coming off the bench. Mystic Means went 2-4 in the win, and Brenna Fink and Lily Wendt each collected two hits and two RBI. Alyssa Donaldson, Brook Knox and Grace Meyer each recorded two RBI in the win. Tesnar earned the win in the circle with her two innings of relief, moving to 2-0 on the season, both coming as a reliever. Marian's pitching staff allowed four total hits in the victory.

Marian will return to the diamond on Friday to play Trinity Christian and Dordt. Game one is scheduled for a 12:15 p.m. start. 

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