Dylan Peabody

Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

MADISON, Wis. – The Marian softball team had a pair of Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference games against the Edgewood Eagles on Sunday, April 19. After Edgewood took game one 7-5, the Sabres were able to outlast the Eagles in 16 innings of action and win game two by a score of 6-3 to split the series and snap a seven-game skid.

Emily Gorges was the hero for the Sabres in game two as she hit a bases-loaded double in the top of the 16th inning to end a drought of 10 scoreless innings by both teams. The junior also earned her seventh win of the year as she pitched 11 and two-third innings in relief, striking out eight and not allowing a run.

Both offenses were clicking early in the game as runs were scored in each of the first five innings.

Sophomore Sara Terrian started the scoring for the Sabres in the top of the first as she knocked in Tana VandenHeuvel from third on a ground out to the shortstop.

The Eagles responded in the bottom of the second as Rachel Dejongh tied the game with an RBI single to center field.

It was Terrian who once again put the Sabres back on top by one when she singled to right field in the top of the third. Freshman Ashley Lobraco tacked on another run for the Sabres in the top of the fourth with a solo shot.

Sabrina Maicke cut the Sabres lead to one in the bottom of the fourth as she answered with a solo shot of her own. In the top of the fifth the Eagles tied the game up as Kylie Clark scored from third off an error by the Sabres, which sparked a pitchers dual throughout the next eleven innings.

It was a different story in game one as the Eagles (14-22, 8-10 NACC) gained quick control, jumping out  to a 5-0 lead after three innings and eventually securing a three-run win.

The Sabres (10-24, 4-14 NACC) return to action on Wednesday, April 22, with a non-conference series against the Ripon Red Hawks at Smith Field. Game times are set for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.