SIOUX CENTER, Iowa - For the second time in three seasons, the Marian softball team is headed to the NAIA World Series, as the Knights emphatically punched their ticket with a walk-off run-rule victory over Northwestern in the Opening Round Championship Game. Marian heads to Columbus, Georgia, with a 47-7 overall record following their 10-2 six-inning win on Wednesday. 

Olivia Stunkel started the game as perfectly as possible, dialing in a three-batter frame that ended with a looking strikeout. The offense fed off their pitcher's start, getting a runner in scoring position in two batters as Abbey Hofmann led off with a walk and reached second on a bunt. Lily Wendt started a hitting streak as she stepped into the box, driving a double into the left field corner to plate the first run of the game. Grace Meyer and Jenna Minnix followed with singles to load the bases, and Hayley Greene capped the hit-fest with an RBI single. Ally Malone drew an RBI, bases-loaded walk to score a third run, and an error at shortstop off of Brooke Knox's bat capped the 4-0 start.

Marian's hot start carried through the second inning, as Olivia Stunkel had to work defensively, overcoming a pair of walks before retiring the side with a second strikeout of the day. The senior came up short of keeping the Red Raiders off the board in the third inning, as a lead-off walk would come in to score on a two-out double. Stunkel made the final out of the inning, fielding her position to keep the game a 4-1 score. 

The Red Raiders cooled off in the fourth inning as Stunkel retired the side for a second time in the game, and in the home frame, the Knights attacked at the dish once again. Brooke Knox led off the frame with a single and was chased around the bases on Abbey Hofmann's double to left field. Anna Pritchett beat out an infield single to score Knox, and the pair of outfielders executed a double steal to bring home the team's sixth run. Grace Meyer finished the crooked inning with a sacrifice fly, scoring Pritchett to make the game a 7-1 affair.

Northwestern strung together a run in the top of the fifth inning to cut the lead back to five, taking advantage of three walks and a bunt single to score their second run. Stunkel managed to get out of the inning and limit the damage to one, forcing a fielder's choice to third base before fielding her position once more to retire the side. After being held scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, the Knights turned the game over to Macy Coan in the sixth. Coan shined in her first work of the week, making a pair of defensive plays for the first two outs. An error would prolong the inning, but it would be cut short as a pop-up to third base ended the frame.

Needing three runs or three outs to punch their ticket to the World Series, the Knights chose the offensive path, picking up three quick bases as Abbey Hofmann reached on an error and landed at third on a stolen base. Lily Wendt walked to put runners on the corners with one out, and Mackenzie Matern and Hofmann were able to force a free run, as Hofmann stole while the Red Raiders were preoccupied trying to throw out the pinch runner. Matern eventually reached third after Grace Meyer walked and a passed ball gave a free 60-feet, and scored on an RBI groundout from Minnix. With Meyer representing the winning run at second, Hayley Greene delivered the game-ending hit, slamming an RBI single to center field to end the game and walk-off the Knights to Georgia.

Greene dominated at the plate in the win, leading the team with a 3-4 performance, racking up two RBI and a run scored in the 10-2 win. Six other Knights picked up a base hit in the win, while Abbey Hofmann scored a team-best three runs in the victory. Stunkel (29-0) allowed just two hits in the win, working around six walks as she collected her 29th victory of the season. The senior yielded two runs, matching her strikeout total. Coan threw a near-flawless sixth inning, logging 15 pitches against four batters faced.

The Knights will now gear up for the NAIA World Series, which takes place in Columbus, Georgia, at South Commons Complex. Play begins on Thursday, May 22, and the final bracket will be announced on Thursday, May 15, following the conclusion of the remaining NAIA Opening Round games. 

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