RIVER FOREST, Ill. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University softball team dropped two to Concordia University Chicago, this afternoon, April 20, by scores of 5-0 and 8-4. The Sabres were set to host the Cougars at Smith Fields, but unplayable conditions forced Marian to give up those games, leaving them at a disadvantage.
The Cougars took full advantage with clutch pitching and timely hitting. The Sabres managed just eight hits in both games combined and squandered a three-run lead in game two, but had several chances they couldn't take advantage of.
Concordia Chicago improved to 12-17 overall, 9-7 in the NAC with the wins, while Marian dropped to 5-17 (3-7 NAC).
In game one, DeFord dominated in the circle for the Cougars. She went the distance and allowed just two hits on the way to the 5-0 shutout.
After the Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, the Sabres came back in the bottom of the second and loaded the bases with one out. However, DeFord got Daniele Gerth to strikeout and Nikki Jakel to ground out to second base to end the inning.
She went on to retire the side in the third and fourth, while the offense put up a crooked number in the third and fifth to take a commanding 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, Nikki Ponticelli reached via a walk and made it all the way to third before being stranded. DeFord then finished what she started and the Sabres couldn't muster another rally.
CUC's Johnson and Bochat combined to go 5-for-8 with five RBIs from the three and four-holes in the lineup.
In game two, the Sabre offense finally rallied to take a 4-1 lead in the second inning. Four runs crossed the place in the inning. Emilie Jansen capped the inning with a bases-clearing triple to left center field.
Brie Hechimovich got her first start in the circle for the Sabres and was cruising before an unfortunate fourth inning. Four of the five runs scored in the frame were unearned and Hechimovich's day was done after a two-run single rallied the Cougars back.
Of the six runs scored against Hechimovich, just two were earned in the strong effort. Gorges came on to finish the job, but allowed two runs (1 earned).
The Sabres took advantage of the CUC starter, Salata, before Johnson came on to pitch the final five innings, when she shutdown the Sabre offense.
Johnson allowed just two hits and struck out five to earn the win.
Marian will hope to play at home for the first time this season when they are scheduled to host Rockford College in a 2 p.m. start at Smith Fields tomorrow, April 21.
