Indianapolis, Ind. - Marian Softball continues home stretch, splitting with Spring Arbor, taking the game two wins. Marian moved to 19-4 and 11-3 in the Crossroads League after the split.

Game 1 | Marian 2-5 Spring Arbor
Marian got off to an early start in game one with Mati Hughes doubling down the left field line to score Abbey Hofmann and take the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Cougars were quick to fire back with a two-run home run to take the lead in the top of the second. 

Each team kept the next four innings dry with little to no runners left on base until Spring Arbor struck again with another two-run home run, followed by a sacrifice fly into left field to take the four-run lead over Marian. In the bottom of the sixth, Abby Madere pushed back with a home run of her own into center field to bring the margin down to three. Katie Lackman came in to pitch for the final inning, only allowing two runners on base and no runs scored. Mystic Means got on base with a single to shortstop but was not able to return to home, ending the game with a 5-2 loss to the Cougars.

Mystic Means led the way in game one, going 3-3 from the plate, while Abby Madere and Mati Hughes each recorded one RBI each. Macy Coan took the start in the circle, pitching six innings and striking out four batters. Katie Lackman came in as relief, pitching one inning and striking out one batter in the four she faced.

Game 2 | Marian 7-1 Spring Arbor
Much like game one, the Knights got off to an early lead in the bottom of the first with Delaney Rundle kicking things off with a double into left field to score Abbey Hofmann. Mati Hughes followed up with a single up the middle to score Rundle. Hughes and Ally Malone were able to increase the lead 4-0, off a single into center field for Mallorie Beutel. 

The Knights kept the cougars at bay before striking once more in the fifth inning with Beutel singling up the middle to score Malone. Followed by Alex Kiemeyer hitting a sacrifice fly into right field to score Lily Wendt. Beutle was able to follow up scoring on a wild pitch, extending the lead to seven. Spring Arbor was able to strike in the top of the sixth during a chase down between first and second, bringing the score 7-1. In the circle, Lexi Smith recorded two strikeouts and had one batter ground out in the top of the seventh, ending the game with a win for the Knights.

Mallorie Beutel led the way, going 2-3 from the plate and recording 3 RBIs. Delaney Rundle, Mati Hughes, and Alex Kiemeyer all recorded one RBI each as well in the win. Lexi Smith took the win, pitching all seven innings, recording four strikeouts out of her 27 batters faced. 

Marian will be back in action on Saturday as they host Taylor in a double header starting at 1 PM.

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