FOND DU LAC - Marian University softball (15-11, 7-5 NACC) swept Alverno by final scores of 8-0 and 5-1 as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in honor of Courtney Makinen who is missing the season due to her battle with Ewing's Sarcoma.

The Sabres were able to start the day fast scoring two runs in the first inning of the opener.  Sophomore Alexa Rodriguez opened the scoring with a bases-loaded walk before freshman Hannah Cozzi hit a single to drive in senior Lindsey Strainis.

Marian added to their lead in the third when Strainis drove in a pair of runs with a single down the first base line.  A three-run fourth inning then put the finishing touches on a mercy-rule win.  Rodriguez drove in a run with a double to open the scoring before Cozzi followed with an RBI double down the left field line.  Freshman Melanie Weigel closed out the scoring with a single up the middle that plated two runs.

Junior Paige Rauhut (7-5) was strong in the circle tossing a complete game only allowing two hits with six strikeouts.  The offense was balanced in the victory with five multi-hit games, four multi-RBI games, and eight different Sabres scoring.

Marian once again used a quick start and game two and used a lot of patience at the plate to secure a sweep.  The Sabres were able to plate three runs in the opening inning with sophomore Peyton Loesch opening the scoring with a two-RBI double.  An error later in the inning allowed Loesch to score an unearned run.

The Sabres cushioned their lead in the sixth with junior Ally Fox driving in freshman Rachel Mereness before an errant throw to third from the Alverno catcher later in the inning allowed Fox to score.  Alverno would score their first run of the day in the top of the seventh off of a two-out double but Marian was able to secure the sweep one batter later.

Sophomore Myranda Schuttenhelm (7-4) had a strong start in the circle to earn the win tossing a complete game allowing only six hits and one earned run.  The Marian offense was able to draw eight walks with the top three hitters in the Marian lineup all drawing multiple runs. 

Fox went 1-for-1 in the game with two runs scored, a run driven in, three walks, and four stolen bases to tie the all-time Marian lead for stolen bases in a career.  With two walks in the win, Strainis became the all-time Marian leader for free passes.

Marian is scheduled to host Lakeland Wednesday, April 17 for a 3 p.m. NACC doubleheader.