COLUMBUS, Ga. - Trailing five runs entering the seventh inning, the Marian softball team made a last-ditch effort against Southern Oregon with their season on the line, taking a lead on six unanswered runs. The Raiders would score a tying run in the bottom of the seventh, and eventually record the game-winning hit in the ninth, ending Marian's season at the NAIA World Series in a 7-6 defeat.

Matching up with Southern Oregon for the fourth time in two seasons and the second time in five days, the Knights picked up the first baserunner on Anna Pritchett's first-inning single, however, no score came from the junior's knock. The Raiders would retaliate with a single off Olivia Stunkel in the bottom of the first, but the senior shrugged off the two-out hit with a strikeout to close the frame. Marian was retired in order in the second, and in the home half, Southern Oregon broke the early deadlock, racking up four hits that scored a pair of runs. A groundout to Ally Malone would end the inning with damage done, seeing Marian trail 2-0 after two complete.

The Knights' bats finally broke open in the top of the third, as a Brooke Knox single looked to be the start of a rally cry. Abbey Hofmann would follow with a single to put two runners on, however, Ayla Davies of Southern Oregon had different plans, forcing a fielder's choice and fly out to strand a pair of runners. Stunkel rebounded with a scoreless third inning, and in the fourth inning worked out of a two-out jam, stranding a pair of runners to keep the game within striking distance.

Davies continued to keep the Knights off the board as she retired the side in the top of the fifth, and in the ensuing half inning, Southern Oregon added to their lead, tagging Stunkel for three base hits and a sacrifice fly. The deficit would grow in the next inning, as a three-up, three-down approach for Marian in the top of the sixth aided Southern Oregon's insurance quest, with the Raiders plating their fifth run in the bottom.

Trailing 5-0 and down to their final three outs, the Knights methodically approached the plate, charging a comeback attempt as Grace Meyer reached on a walk. Mackenzie Matern entered as a pinch runner and scampered to second base on Jenna Minnix's fielder's choice, as an error allowed the freshman to slide in safely. Hayley Greene smacked an infield single to load the bases, and two batters later, Mystic Means recorded a pinch-hit RBI walk, ending the shutout. The bats kept rolling for Marian, as Brooke Knox hammered a double to the left-center gap, scoring two while putting two in scoring position for Abbey Hofmann. Hofmann kept the rally going with a two-RBI single, sliding into second as the throw from the outfield was not in time to catch Brooke Knox at the plate.

Marian continued their rally as Anna Pritchett moved Hofmann to third with a groundout, and with two outs, the Knights caught a break, as Lily Wendt reached first on a dropped fly by the second baseman. The dropped ball allowed Hofmann to score, putting Marian in the lead for the first time, capping a six-run inning. The lead would be short-lived though, as Marian was unable to keep Southern Oregon off the board in the bottom of the seventh. The Raiders manufactured a run and got the tying run to score on Faith Moultrie's RBI single, leveling the score 6-6. Southern Oregon kept their comeback on long enough to load the bases, but a groundout would end the frame, and force extra innings.

Each team would record a base runner without scoring in the eighth inning, and in the top of the ninth, Marian was retired in order to roll the game to the Raiders bats. A lead-off walk would spark the home team's final inning, as a sacrifice bunt and error moved the winning run to third base. Stunkel was able to get one out on a catch in left by Hofmann, but the senior was unable to get the final two outs, as Sarah Kerling ended the game with a walk-off single, ending the Knights season in a 7-6 game.

Stunkel battled in her final outing of the season, pitching all 8.1 innings in the humid Georgia sun. Southern Oregon recorded 15 hits and scored seven runs, six of which were earned. Marian's ace pitcher ended her season with a 30-2 record, recording three strikeouts in her 161-pitch afternoon.

At the plate, Brooke Knox had a 2-4 afternoon, roping a double while recording two RBI. Abbey Hofmann finished the game 2-5 at the plate, scoring once while driving home two runs. Pritchett, Greene, and Malone each had one hit in the loss.

Marian's season comes to an end in the program's sixth-ever trip to the NAIA World Series, tying for fifth in the 2025 National Tournament. Marian won both the Crossroads League Regular Season and Tournament Championships and ended their season with a 48-9 overall record.

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