Marian University

The 2000 Marian University softball team started a dominant run for the program as the Sabres reached four straight NCAA Tournaments.  The Sabres posted a 22-14 record, the third-highest winning percentage of any team during the Lake Michigan Conference era, and went 11-1 in LMC play. 

Marian built up a head of steam going into postseason action as Marian was able to close out the regular season 12-1 in the final 13 games.  The Sabres then dominated the LMC Tournament with four straight wins, three of which decided by four or more runs, to earn a bid into the NCAA Tournament.  Marian would fall to Chicago and Simpson in the national tournament but the appearance helped pave the way for future squads.

Marian was well represented for individual awards from all of the team success with three All-Region honorees.  Jessica (Krzewina) Fakes ('07) led the way for Marian earning LMC Player of the Year recognition.  Fakes threw 180.0 innings for the Sabres going 16-8, the second-most wins for a single season in program history, with a 1.75 earned-run average and 176 punch-outs.  She would also go on to be named to the NFCA All-Region Third Team.  Cindy (Berres) Twohig ('13) was also able to earn All-Region recognition being named to the second team after leading the Marian offense.  A career .396 hitter, Twohig hit seven of her career-leading 30 triples during the 2000 campaign.  Alissa Dewar earned Second-Team All-Region recognition in just her first season in a Sabre uniform.

A total of five-student-athletes went on to earn All-Conference accolades from the LMC as well as Ann Felker ('21) who earned LMC Coach of the Year honors that season in just her first year as the head coach of the program.