FOND DU LAC, Wis. – With two outs and trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning Freshman Lindsey Strainis singled to right field to push across a pair of runs and the Marian University softball team walked-off with a 4-3 victory over Benedictine to cap off the backend of a doubleheader.

"I definitely was a little bit nervous (about last at bat), I'm not going to lie to you about it," a jovial Strainis said following the come-from-behind win. "I just wanted to put it into play and put the pressure on them to make the play and luckily that's what happened. We worked hard as a team and we definitely deserve it."

For MU head coach Tony Draves, he was impressed with the resolve the Sabres showed, particularly in high-pressure situations.

"Our kids played tough and they didn't give up," the second-year head coach said. "This squad has been resilient all year and today was no different. We thought they would pitch to Lindsey inside and that's her wheelhouse and they finally did it at her final at-bat."

MU got to work early. Junior Sara Terrian and senior Gabby D'Oronzo each recorded RBI singles and the Sabres led 2-0 after one inning of play.

BU (23-11, 11-5) cut the deficit to within one in the top of the second and the score would remain the same until the top of the seventh when the Eagles tied the game to force extras.

Terrian batted 3-for-3, drew a walk and recorded an RBI, while Nicole LaBeck finished 2-for-4 with a run scored. Olivia Hartley, Emily Gorges and Taylor Gerlach each recorded a hit.

Gorges earned the win in the circle. She tossed a complete-game and allowed nine hits, three runs and two walks and fanned two.

The Eagles got to the Sabres early in the series opener. BU scored four runs in the top of the first and four runs in the top of the fifth and game was called in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule.

MU (19-13, 8-8 NACC) returns to action Sunday with a pivotal doubleheader against league-leading Aurora. The Sabres play Tuesday afternoon with a non-conference doubleheader against UW-Oshkosh. MU is on the road Friday at Wisconsin Lutheran and closeout the regular season the following day at home against Edgewood.

--FightBlueFight--