FOREST PARK, Ill. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University softball team suffered a pair of 1-0 setbacks to host Dominican University in Northern Athletics Conference action this afternoon, April 6. Emily Gorges threw two of her best games yet as a Sabre, but the defense enabled both runs to come in unearned in the two defeats.

Gorges allowed just nine hits in both games combined, while fanning eight batters, including six in game two. The offensive couldn't get anything going against Mahoney, managing just three hits in the two losses. Mahoney struck out 16 batters in game one and seven more in the nightcap en route to two victories.

The Sabres dropped to 3-13 overall, 1-3 in the NAC, while the Stars improved to 14-6 (6-0 NAC).

In game one, Mahoney sat down 17 of the first 18 batters she faced. From the nine-spot in the order, Nikki Jakel finally broke up the no-hitter in the top of the sixth with a single up the middle.

Sabres got two baserunners that inning after Brie Hechimovich reached on an error, but Mahoney settled down to retire Jansen on strikes to end the inning.

The Stars got the only run they needed in the fifth inning when Moran reached on an error by the first baseman, eventually scoring on another error when Pinarski tried to sacrifice bunt runners to second and third. Moran touched third and came around to score giving Dominican all it needed to hold on for the win.

In game two, Gorges worked through trouble in the first inning before settling into a groove. She retired five in a row from the second inning on, but an error broke up that string. Subsequently, Gorges then hit a batter and walked another to load the bases with one. However, a strikeout and groundout to third cleaned up yet another mess on the base paths.

The Sabres squandered a huge opportunity in the fourth when they loaded the bases following walks by Gabby D'Oronzo and Amber Johnson. An infield hit by Tana Vanden Heuvel then loaded the bases with two outs. Mahoney would buckle down after that and get Daniele Gerth to pop out to end the threat.

The score would remain scoreless until the seventh inning. The Stars' Hausl led off the inning with a single through the right side. She would advance all the way to third after an error by the third baseman, who tried for the force out at second on a sac bunt by Pinarski.

Two batters later, with the bases loaded, Hausl would score on a wild pitch to end the game.

Marian dropped two heartbreakers, but will finally play its first game at home when Alverno comes to town tomorrow, April 7. Game time is set for noon at Smith Fields.