CLERMONT, Fla. - Marian University softball (7-5, 0-0 NACC) fell to Gordon 6-4 to open the day before defeating Wesleyan 4-2.

In the opener, a slow start proved to be too costly as Marian couldn't complete a rally against Gordon. The Scots plated four runs before Marian had a chance to bat but a double from sophomore Gianna Esposito plated fellow sophomore Ally Fox in the bottom of the first to cut into the deficit.

The Sabres then cut the deficit down to one when freshman Kenzie Waechter brought in fellow freshman Alexa Rodriguez with a single and Fox plated Waechter, also with a single.  The Scots scored the next pair of runs, however, and built their lead out to 6-3.  An Esposito home run in the seventh was all Marian could muster in their last chance at the dish to seal the win for Gordon.

Esposito closed out the game 3-4 with a pair of runs batted in and a run scored to lead the offense.  Freshman Myranda Schuttenhelm (1-2) bounced back after a rough first inning to provide 4.0 innings of work only allowing three hits and striking out five.  Fellow freshman Peyton Loesch tossed the final 3.0 innings only allowing one run.

The Sabres then only managed five hits against Wesleyan but those hits came at the right time as Marian defeated the Cardinals 4-2.

The Cardinals scored a run in the bottom of the first inning but the Sabres bounced back to take the lead in the fifth inning.  After retiring the first two outs quickly, Waechter and Fox hit back-to-back singles before they were both driven in by a single from junior Lindsey Strainis.

The Marian lead didn't last long, however, as Wesleyan answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game.  Then in the seventh inning, Marian was able to take advantage of a pair of errors with Loesch driving in Waechter and Fox with a double to give Marian the lead for good.

Sophomore Paige Rauhut (4-2) had another strong performance in the circle going the distance only allowing one earned run and striking out eight.

Marian closes out their annual spring trip against Anderson (Ind.) at 8 a.m. (CDT) and SUNY-Geneseo at 10:30 a.m. (CDT) tomorrow, Thursday, March 15.

--FightBlueFight--