Box Scores - Game 1, Game 2
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University softball team fell on the short side of two one-run decisions as host Wisconsin Lutheran College swept the Sabres, 9-8 and 1-0, in Northern Athletics Conference action Saturday, April 14.
A pair of walk-off home runs and solid pitching propelled the Warriors to the sweep. Katie Timm provided a three-run blast to take game one after the Sabres let an 8-2 lead slip away, including a four-run advantage with two outs in the seventh. In game two, the offense couldn't get anything going before the Warriors walked off with another game-winning home run in a 1-0 win in nine innings.
Emily Boehnlein led the Sabres offensively with a combined 3-for-8 effort at the plate, including a home run.
Emilie Jansen also recorded two hits and a pair of RBIs.
The Sabres fell to 11-15 overall, 6-6 in the NAC after dropping their fourth straight league game. Meanwhile, the Warriors improve to 9-15 (4-8 NAC).
In game one, the Sabres took a 2-0, first-inning lead after
Liz Schaller scored on a wild pitch and
Aubrey O'Brien scored on a double steal attempt.
The lead would grow to 4-0 before the Warriors finally cracked the scoring column in the fifth inning. WLC scored three times, all runs unearned as they were aided by a costly Marian miscue.
Leading 8-4 in the seventh, the game appeared well in-hand as
Cherise Waltz got the first batter to pop out and the second batter to ground out. However, it was far from over. The Warriors strung together a single, hit-by-pitch and two-run double in consecutive at-bats to make the score 8-6.
After another hit batter, Tim came to the plate and cracked a three-run homer to left. Just like that, WLC had completed the improbable comeback.
In game two, Timm entered the circle and carried her momentum from the plate. She went all nine innings and a classic pitcher's duel and earned the two-hit shutout and only her second win of the season.
She struck out eight Sabres in the victory and her teammate, Jenny Rechlicz, supplied the knockout punch with two outs in the ninth, hitting a walk-off home run to left field to end it.
Waltz allowed just five hits, while striking out four and walking none in a superb effort, but fell to 9-12 on the year with the loss.
The Sabres are desperately seeking to rebound after dropping their fourth straight NAC game. They will have the opportunity on Sunday as they play host to MSOE in a noon doubleheader at Smith Fields.
