TUCSON, Ariz. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University softball team split on day three of the Tucson Invitational Tournament to move its record to 5-5 overall. The Sabres defeated Denison, 5-3, in game one and fell to Dickinson, 8-5.
In game one, two out hitting was the name of the game for the Sabres as they beat Denison University. With one on and two outs in the bottom of the second, freshman
Ariel O'Neill belted out her first colligate home run, scoring
Nikki Ponticelli, who previously got on base with a line drive to left field. The Big Red, however, fought back scoring all three of their runs in the fourth inning.
Down, 3-2, in the sixth inning, the Sabres found themselves with bases loaded and two outs. Continuing her hot streak,
Emilie Jansen laced a two out triple to deep center, clearing the bases to put the Sabres ahead, 5-3.
Cherise Waltz would then put the Big Red down in order to seal the deal in the seventh.
Going the distance with another solid performance, Waltz pitched all seven innings, giving up only four hits and surrendering three runs.
Jansen went 3-for-3 in the game with a triple and three RBI's. Also contributing was
Nikki Ponticelli going 2-for-3.
In game two, the Sabres looked to make it two straight against Dickinson after dispatching the Red Devils in extra innings, 8-7, in the tournament opener. However, Dickinson would exact revenge on this day.
The Sabres scored right away in the first inning on a single by
Molly Sippel to
Liz Schaller. In return, the Red Devils tied the game up with a solo homerun. In the third inning, the Red Devils scored three runs and never looked back.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Sabres scored three runs with key hits by
Katlin Jarvis and O'Neill. The Sabres, however, fell short of a comeback and went down in order the last two innings.
Brooke Koechell made her second start, pitching five innings, giving up eight runs with four strikeouts and two walks. Waltz would come into relief for the final two innings, giving up no hits and no runs.
Jansen led all hitters going 2-for-4.
The Sabres finish up their spring trip tomorrow at 8 a.m. vs. North Central College and end with a rematch vs. Dubuque at 12:30 p.m.
