MILWAUKEE (SabreAthletics.com) – Due to field conditions that were too wet to host the Marian University softball team's home opener against Alverno College, but in an effort to fit games in, today's Northern Athletics Conference doubleheader was moved to the site of the Inferno and the home field advantage proved valuable as the Sabres fell by scores of 6-5 and 9-5, this afternoon, April 7.
Emilie Jansen broke out of her power slump, slugging two home runs and driving in five RBIs in the losing efforts. Bridgette Stelsel also went deep twice as she registered a 3-for-5 day at the plate with three RBIs.
In game one, it was Wilmore's four RBIs that paced the Inferno. In game two, it was Sagat, who drove in six runs by herself. Rossi picked up wins in both contests, while Emily Gorges and Brooke Koechell fell in defeat in games one and two, respectively.
Alverno improved to 10-6 overall, 4-4 NAC with the wins, while Marian fell to 3-15 (1-5 NAC).
In game one, Marian jumped out to a 4-0 lead thanks to an RBI double by Gabby D'Oronzo in the first inning and home runs from Jansen and Stelsel in the fifth.
Alverno finally cracked the scoring column in the sixth when it strung together a four-run frame. Wilmore's one out, two-run homer cut the deficit in half. Two batters later, Rossi did some damage in the batter's box as well, slugging another two-run home run to tie the game.
In the top of the sixth, the Inferno shocked the Sabres as Wilmore went deep again, providing the go-ahead two-run round-tripper.
Serving as the home team despite the game being played at Alverno, the Sabres were unable to get a baserunner past second base.
In game two, the Inferno wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Alverno scored three times in the second and twice more in the third to take a commanding 5-0 lead.
A Jansen three-run homer cut the deficit to 5-3 in the fifth inning, but Alverno answered with four runs in the sixth. All of which came on Sagat's grand slam with one out in the inning.
The Sabres scored twice in the bottom of the inning on Stelsel's second home run of the day, but the Inferno lead proved too much to overcome.
Marian will be back at it tomorrow afternoon, April 8, when it plays host to Maranatha Baptist Bible College. Weather pending, it would finally mark the home opener at Smith Fields. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.
