LISLE, Ill. - For the first time in program history, Marian University softball (8-4, 0-0 NACC) earned a road sweep of Benedictine defeating the Eagles 8-2 and 6-5.

The Sabres would hit four home runs in the opener and used a fast start to easily take game one.  Senior Alexa Rodriguez started the game in a big way with a leadoff home run, her fourth of the season.  Later in the inning, junior Melanie Weigel singled in a run to put the Sabres ahead 2-0.  A single from sophomore Izzy Gonzalez in the third then brought in a run as Marian led 3-0.

The Eagles were able to respond in the bottom of the third but the Sabres answered.  Senior Peyton Loesch would hit a solo shot in the fifth, her fourth of the season, and in the sixth, sophomore Kaley Ludvigsen was able to drive in a run.

Two more home runs from the Sabres in the seventh then put the final at 8-2 after Benedictine scored a run in the sixth.  Sophomore Julia Corona hit her first home run of the season before senior Katy Croeker had a two-run shot leave the yard for her first long ball of the season.

Croeker led the offense going 3-for-4 with a run scored and two driven in from her home run.  Senior Paige Rauhut (4-2) once again went the distance allowing just two runs on four hits with four punch outs.

The Eagles opened the scoring for game two with two in the first but the Sabres took the lead for good in the next half inning.  Rodriguez highlighted the inning with a three-run homer, her second of the day and fifth of the year.  After the Eagles cut the Marian lead to one in the third, an RBI single from Weigel in the top of the fourth quickly gave Marian a 5-3 advantage.

Benedictine once again cut the lead down to one in the fifth, but the Sabres had an answer in the top of the sixth with a double from Loesch putting Marian ahead 6-4.  The Eagles were able to plate a run in the sixth but the Sabres were then able to shut the door and secure the sweep.

Sophomore Emalee Depa (3-0) went 3.2 innings allowing just two earned runs to earn the win, while Loesch earned her first save of the season tossing the final 1.1 innings without allowing a hit.  Rodriguez led the way offensively in game two going 4-for-4 with three driven in and two runs scored.

Marian returns home to take on Aurora Saturday, March 27 for a noon doubleheader.