Columbus, Ga. - After a dazzling display in last week's NAIA Opening Round, the Marian softball team was unable to recapture the same magic for a second consecutive day Friday morning, as the Knights fell 10-2 against Our Lady of the Lake in their elimination game at the NAIA World Series. The second loss at the NAIA World Series concludes Marian's season, as the Knights complete the year with a 38-18 record.
After a scoreless first inning that saw each team go three-up, three-down, the Knights woke up the bats in the top of the second inning, getting their first base runner with a
Lily Wendt single. The one-out hit sparked the lineup, as
Mallorie Beutel reached on an HBP and
Mystic Means flared a single into left field.
Ella Piercy brought in the team's first run after drawing a bases-loaded hit by pitch, and
Abbey Hofmann singled in a run, giving Marian an early 2-0 lead.
The lead did not last long, as Our Lady of the Lake responded by drawing a one-out walk against
Macy Coan to get its first base runner of the game. A double followed the free pass, and an RBI groundout drove in a Saints run, slashing the lead in half. Marian seemed to be out of the inning as
Ally Malone made a tremendous diving play to stop a ball, but her throw to first was overturned via replay, as an RBI single leveled the score 2-2. Coan would work out of the inning after issuing a third hit in the frame, heading to the third tied.
Marian looked to retake the lead in the top of the third as
Abby Madere and
Mati Hughes each drew one out walks that forced a pitching change, but a timely hit did not follow the free passes, ending the inning with two runners left on. Our Lady of the Lake capitalized on Marian's shortcomings by getting two runners on base with two outs, and Marisa Rosales slammed a three-run home run off Coan, putting the Saints in firm control of the lead.
The Knights would get two runners, one in both the fifth and sixth innings, but in each frame, the Saints' pitching quieted the Marian offense. While the offense fell behind, Our Lady of the Lake found opportunities to produce offense, driving home three runs on a bases-clearing double against
Alayna Tesnar in the fifth.
Lexi Smith would enter the game in the fifth and got a double play from
Ally Malone to end the inning, but in the home side of the sixth, the freshman was unable to extend the game, allowing a pair of hits and runs that saw the Saints end the game with a 10-2 run-rule victory.
Marian's offense came up short in the loss, producing five base hits while leaving seven runners stranded on base.
Abbey Hofmann and
Ella Piercy each had Marian's RBI in the loss, while
Alex Kiemeyer and
Lily Wendt made up two of the five base hits on the day.
In the circle,
Macy Coan suffered the loss, ending the season with a 21-6 overall record. Coan allowed five hits and runs in the defeat, pitching 3.0 innings.
Alayna Tesnar and
Lexi Smith each recorded four outs in relief, with Tesnar allowing three runs and five hits, while Smith allowed two unearned runs and two hits.
The Knights end the campaign with a final record of 38-18, having reached the NAIA World Series for a seventh time in program history. Marian finished third in the Crossroads League regular season, and won this year's NAIA Opening Round bracket.
MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos, and more.
