MARQUETTE, Mich. (SabreAthletics.com) – The cool March temperatures may have had an effect on the Sabre bats in a 4-0 loss to host Finlandia University in game one, but the Marian University softball team heated up in game two, beating Mt. Mary College, 21-3, to earn an opening day split at the Finlandia Dome Tournament this morning, March 1.

Game 1
Sophomore Emily Gorges registered five strikeouts in the first two innings against a slow-starting Lion offense. However, they caught fire in the third inning after stringing together several hits in a row.

Finlandia scored all four runs in the third, the first on an Alexis Lawley double, followed by RBI singles from Alyson Herman and Breanna Hynes.

Lion pitcher, Miranda Brewer, went the distance and allowed just three hits to the Sabres, while striking out eight. Gorges finished with seven punchouts. Freshman Sara Terrian tallied two of the team's three hits as the designated player.

Game 2
Marian made quick work of Mt. Mary, plating 11 runs in the first inning. The Sabres recorded four extra-base hits that led to runs, including an RBI triple from Gabby D'Oronzo. She finished 2-for-4 with four runs scored and two RBIs.

Charlotte Pegram was one of two Sabres to record three-hit games, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs and a run scored. Brie Hechimovich went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and three RBIs.

Mt. Mary got one run in the second and two in the fourth as Heather Dorn held them at bay. The freshman went all five innings and struck out 11 batters, while walking none.

The Sabres return to action tomorrow morning, March 2, taking on Simpson at 8 a.m. eastern time, followed by UW-Superior at 1:15 p.m.