Dylan Peabody

Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Marian softball team split a pair of outings to finish off the Tucson Invitational Games at a 4-6 mark.

The Sabres started the day off on a high note with a 6-3 win over the Dubuque Spartans, but dropped game two to the Dickinson State Blue Hawks in their final game of the trip.

" We understand that we have a lot of things to work on, but we are a heck of a lot better of a softball team now after having this experience," said head coach Tony Draves. "We are fortunate that our university allows us to go on this trip every year"

In game one it was the heart of the lineup, Tana VandenHeuvel, Emily Gorges and Sara Terrian that gave the Spartans (5-6) trouble.

"They give us a tough stretch of batters that a pitcher doesn't want to see come up in late innings," said Draves. "They consistently create problems and have solid at bats."

With one out in the bottom of the first, VandenHeuvel and Gorges had back-to-back hits to put two runners in scoring position.

Sara Terrian capitalized on the opportunity with a sacrifice fly to put the Sabres up 1-0.

Success continued for the Sabres in the second inning with some help from poor fielding by the Spartans.

With two on and two outs, Tiffany Castillo recorded and RBI single that also pushed across an unearned run due to an error by the Spartan catcher to put the Sabres up by three.

Gorges had a solid performance on the mound to help maintain a Sabre lead throughout the game. Her five scoreless innings to start the game helped the Sabres gain solid momentum.

It was a 6-1 game in the bottom of the seventh when the Spartans made things interesting.

After scoring two runs, the Spartans had the cleanup hitter, Carlee Grunder, at the plate and the tying runner on base, but she grounded out to second to finish the game.

Gorges finished with eight strikeouts in the performance.

The Sabres (5-9) fell behind early in game two against DSU, but were able to keep it close throughout.

The Sabres were threatening in the bottom of the sixth after the first two runners reached base, but only one was able to score. The Sabres went down in order in the seventh as the Blue Hawks (10-2) got the win.

The Sabres have over a week to regroup before they host their first game of the year on Saturday, March 28, in a conference matchup against Dominican.