Marian University Ind.

COLUMBUS, Ga. - Despite manufacturing opportunities late in the game, the Marian softball team missed their moment on Thursday morning in game one of the NAIA World Series, falling 4-3 in extra innings to Indiana Wesleyan. The loss to their Crossroads League rival drops the Knights to 36-17 overall on the season.

The Knights would get on the board first, taking advantage of poor defense from the Wildcats in the top of the first inning. Abbey Hofmann bunted to lead off the game and reached second on a two-base error, while Delaney Teachnor and Mati Hughes would follow with walks. Another error on Lily Wendt's fielder's choice would allow Delaney Rundle to make her way home after Hofmann was thrown out at the plate, while a failed back-pick of Mati Hughes produced another run, as an errant throw allowed the catcher to score.

The early mistakes from the Wildcats gave Marian a quick 2-0 lead, but Indiana Wesleyan would come roaring back in the bottom half inning. A lead-off walk gave Indiana Wesleyan a quick base runner, and Morgan Yeater followed the free pass with a triple to left-center, winning a 10-pitch battle against Macy Coan. A sacrifice fly would follow the triple, as the Wildcats picked up consecutive RBI to level the score 2-2.

Pitching came back into the forefront in the second inning, as Avery Toole and Coan exchanged scoreless half innings. Coan completed her zero the hard way, stranding two singles and a walk drawn with two outs, forcing Yeater to fly out to center to end the frame. 

The big defensive stop inspired the offense in the ensuing third inning, as Abbey Hofmann singled into left to provide the team's first hit of the game. Hofmann stole second and moved to third on a groundout, eventually darting home on an RBI single from Mati Hughes. Lily Wendt followed with a single, but an untimely groundout spoiled Marian's two-out rally. 

Leading 3-2, Macy Coan logged another scoreless frame in the home half of the third, but in the fourth, the Wildcats would spark their own rally against the junior. A pair of singles would give the home team on the scoreboard a runner in scoring position, setting up Morgan Yeater again. Yeater found a 1-0 pitch against Coan and delivered an RBI single to left, tying the game once again. Marian's ace would pitch a groundout to retire the side, seeing the game move to the fifth tied 3-3. 

The fifth inning moved by without a run, and in the sixth, Marian looked primed to take the lead once more, coming off a three-up, three-down defensive half inning. Lily Wendt led off the frame with a single, and Mallorie Beutel was hit by a pitch, putting two runners on base. Alex Kiemeyer would enter the game as a pinch-hitter and drew a one-out walk to load the bases. Despite the bases-loaded moment, pinch-hitter Haley Webb and Abbey Hofmann were unable to push the Knights in front, as Hofmann's flyout against reliever Isabelle Beidelschies ended the inning.

Coan kept Marian in the fight with a scoreless home sixth inning, and in the top of the seventh, the Knights again had an opportunity to bring a runner home after Delaney Rundle drew a lead-off walk. Mati Hughes reached base on a fielder's choice, sacrifice bunt, and both moved into scoring position on a grounder from Wendt, however, another groundout to the second baseman would end the inning. 

The game reached extra innings after Coan sat down the heart of the Wildcats' lineup in order in the seventh inning, but after her offense was unable to scratch a go-ahead run in the top of the eighth, Indiana Wesleyan found a moment to attack. 

Whitney Waddell led off the inning with a double, quickly reaching third on a sacrifice bunt. A walk would put runners on the corners, and Sara Ruble ended the game as she hit a one-out single through the infield against Coan, winning the game for Indiana Wesleyan 4-3.

The Knights' extra innings loss is the third of the season. 

Marian had five hits in the loss, with Lily Wendt leading the way going 2-4. Abbey Hofmann reached base twice in her 1-4 outing, scoring one of the team's three runs. Mati Hughes provided the lone RBI of the game, finishing 1-2.

Macy Coan threw a complete game in the loss, allowing 10 hits and four runs as she logged 7.1 innings. Coan falls to 21-5 overall on the year after the defeat. 

Marian will play for their season's life on Friday morning, taking on the loser between Our Lady of the Lake or Mobile at 10:00 a.m.

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