MARQUETTE, Mich. (SabreAthletics.Com) – The Marian University softball team started off day two of the Finlandia Dome Tournament with a strong performance at the plate as they came away with a 6-1 victory over the Finlandia Lions for their first win of the season.

The Sabres had 11 hits on the day, including two home runs from the heart of their lineup. Emily Gorges started her second game of the season and had another strong outing, giving up one earned run in seven innings of work, while striking out eight batters.

It was a quick start for the Sabres as they scored two runs in the first inning to provide Gorges some breathing room at the mound. Marian's first two batters were able to reach base off a single and an error, which set up runners on second and third with no outs. The Lions were only able to get one out, before Marian's, Sara Terrian, singled to drive in both runners.

After two scoreless innings, the Sabres had an explosive fourth inning. Marian's, Nicole Labeck, tripled to right center to start off the inning and eventually scored on a ground out by Rachel Andres. Later in the inning, with one on and two outs, Gorges added herself some insurance as she hit her first homerun of the season to put the Sabres up by five. Terrian was up next, and answered Gorges's two-run shot with one of her own as the Sabres hit back-to-back home runs to cap off a four-run inning and lead the Lions 6-0.

The Lions were able to grab one run in the seventh inning, but it wasn't enough as the Sabres came away with the 6-1 win.  Finlandia starter, Nicole Dall, pitched all six innings for the Lions, giving up four earned runs and striking out five.

The win improved the Sabres to 1-2 on the season, but it was not the end of their day as they later took on UW-Oshkosh to finish off the tournament.