FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – On Senior Day for second baseman Emilie Jansen, the Marian University softball team made it an enjoyable one with a 5-2 victory in game one en route to a Northern Athletics Conference doubleheader split with visiting Edgewood College at Smith Fields, this afternoon, April 24.

Jansen was honored for her hard work and dedication to the Marian softball program during her four years following a 5-2 win over the Eagles in game one. Jansen walked and scored in a two-run first inning that gave the Sabres an early lead, one which they would not relinquish. In game two, the Eagle bats came alive as they cruised to a 13-5 victory and doubleheader split.

Marian improved to 9-19 overall, 7-9 in the NAC, while Edgewood moved to 10-23 (8-9 NAC).

Gabby D'Oronzo drove in Brie Hechimovich, while Nikki Ponticelli induced a bases-loaded walk to force in Jansen to give the Sabres a 2-0 lead after the first inning of game one.

Marian would add two more runs in the third before Emily Gorges helped her own cause with a home run to left center field to make it 5-1. Gorges' shut down the Eagles in the circle, earning the win after allowing just two runs on seven hits in a complete-game victory. She struck out six and walked just two.

D'Oronzo and Amber Johnson both recorded two hits in the three-run victory.

In game two, the Edgewood offense came to life as it strung together seven hits and took a 7-0 lead before the Marian bats even had a chance to respond.

When the Sabres finally had the opportunity, they weren't able to get to Edgewood starting pitcher Chelsea Leikness until it was too late.

She sat down the first 10 Sabres she faced and didn't allow a run until the fourth inning. By that time, the Eagles had put together a 13-0 lead, which proved insurmountable.

The Sabres threatened to extend the game, at least, with four runs in the fifth to make it 13-5, but the eight-run rule after five took effect and the Eagles made it a quick nightcap.

Hechimovich went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in spite of the loss. Meanwhile, the Eagles registered 14 hits, including three from Rachel DeJongh and two apiece from five others.

The Sabres will turn right around tomorrow, April 25, to take on Lakeland College in a crucial league match-up on the road. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. in Sheboygan.