CLERMONT, Fla. - Marian University softball (8-6, 0-0 NACC) closed out their spring trip 7-3 after defeating Anderson (Ind.) 5-3 and falling to Geneseo 10-0 in five innings.

The Sabres and Ravens each recorded 10 hits in the opener of the day but Marian was able to hold off Anderson for a victory.  Sophomore Paige Rauhut (5-2) went the distance only allowing a pair of earned runs to go with seven strikeouts as she closed out her spring trip strong.

Fellow sophomore Gianna Esposito opened the scoring in the third inning with an RBI triple that scored junior Lindsey Strainis.  Esposito was then brought in by freshman Peyton Loesch in the next at bat.  Anderson answered in the bottom half with their first run of the game but the Sabres expanded their lead in the fifth.

The Sabres opened the fifth inning with four consecutive singles with Loesch driving in sophomore Ally Fox.  Two batters later, sophomore Courtney Makinen reached on a fielder's choice but Esposito was able to score.  Following a single from junior Rachel Soch, freshman Alexa Rodriguez came up with a two-out single to score sophomore Taylor Lauscher and put Marian ahead 5-1.

Once again, the Ravens would plate a run in the bottom half of the inning to put the score at 5-2. Then in the bottom of the seventh, Anderson scored once and loaded the bases later in the inning but a fly out to Rodriguez sealed the Marian win.

The two to four hitters for Marian combined for a 6-10 game with three runs scored and three driven in.  Strainis reached three times going 2-3 with a walk and a run scored.

The finale of the trip saw the Knights take over early and Marian had no response.  The Sabres would only manage four hits in the defeat to Geneseo with Loesch and Soch each hitting doubles.

Marian opens NACC play on the road traveling to Dominican Tuesday, March 27 for a 5 p.m. doubleheader.

--FightBlueFight--