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Box Score 2 Dylan Peabody
Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant
FOND DU LAC, Wis. -- The Marian softball team had an opportunity to gain ground in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference as they took on the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors on Saturday, April 18. However, the Sabres suffered a pair of heart-breaking defeats, falling in game one 1-0 and 8-6 in game two.
Game one was a pitcher's duel as both starters started with seven scoreless innings to bring the game to extras.
In the top of the eighth the Warriors got their offense started with a leadoff double form Kaitlyn Robinson. She advanced to third on a groundout by teammate Emily Heid and later came into score the only run of the game.
Emily Gorges (6-15) had a strong start in game one despite the loss. She went the distance for the Sabres and struck out nine.
Offense picked up for both teams in game two.
After the Warriors took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, the Sabres responded with three runs in the bottom of the first.
Tana VandenHeuvel started the scoring for the Sabres in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run, her second of the year, to give the Sabres a 2-1 lead. Rachel Andres doubled later in the inning to increase the lead to 3-1.
The Warriors responded in the second with three runs of their own to regain the lead, but quickly gave it back to the Sabres in the bottom of the second.
With two runners on and no outs, Gorges hit a single to left field that scored Nicole LaBeck and Tiffani Castillo to put the Sabres up 5-4.
The Warriors continued to have a successful attack and were able to score four runs over the next two innings to go on top 8-5.
The Sabres threatened a comeback in the bottom of the seventh.
Freshman, Cassidy Thiede singled up the middle with two outs to score Charlotte Pegram from third and cut Warrior lead to two, but the Sabres left two runners stranded to finish the game.
The Sabres look to bounce back tomorrow as they head to Madison, Wis. to face the Edgewood Eagles in a NACC doubleheader. Game times are set for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
