FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – A near no-hitter and convincing game one win over visiting Rockford College highlighted the home opener at Smith Fields for the Marian University softball team as it settled for a Northern Athletics Conference doubleheader split, this afternoon, April 21.

Emily Gorges went 5.1 innings before allowing her first hit in game one. In a dominating effort, she picked up her fifth win of the season. Emilie Jansen went deep for her third home run of the year and 16th of her career to lead the offense. However, in game two, the bats went quiet and Rockford earned the split with a 4-1 win.

The Sabres moved to 6-18 overall, 4-8 in the NAC with the split, while the Regents moved to 4-22 (2-12 NAC).

In game one, the Sabres jumped out to a big 6-0 lead with back-to-back three-run innings in the first and second. A dropped fly ball in right field led to two unearned runs in the first inning, while Jansen deposited one over the right center field fence with runners on first and second in the second inning.

That was all Gorges needed as she retired the first 10 batters she faced. The 11th batter reached on a walk with an out in the fourth, but was retired with Segalla lined into a double play. The Sabre right hander would go on to face the minimum through five-and-a-third before Walker doubled to right center for the Regents' first hit.

Two batters later, Jones doubled and Walker scored the lone Rockford run. Gorges would regroup to sit down four of the final five batters in the game for the 7-1 win. The Sabres outhit the Regents, 9-3, in the game and took advantage of three Rockford miscues.

In game two, a four-run fourth for the Regents wound up proving too much for the Sabres to overcome.

Marian starter Brie Hechimovich started her second game of the season in the circle, but was forced to come out due to injury in with two outs in the third.

Brooke Koechell would come on in relief, but struggled in the fourth. Rockford used two hits and took advantage of two walks to post its four runs.

The Sabres got one back on a Gorges RBI double to right center, but Rockford starter, Bura, limited the damage to just a run.

Gorges also pitched in game two, coming on for Koechell with two outs in the fourth and calming the Rockford bats for the final 3.2 innings.

The Marian offense tried to put together a late rally, getting a pinch-hit single from Shannon Hofmann in the sixth, but she wouldn't get past third base. The Sabres would go down in order in the seventh to give Bura her first win of the year.

After 25 consecutive games away from home, dating back to last season, the Sabres will enjoy consecutive home dates for the first time this year when they play host to Maranatha Baptist Bible College, tomorrow, April 21. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.