FOND DU LAC - Marian University softball (23-20, 10-10 NACC) defeated Lakeland 11-3 in five innings 11-3 before falling to No. 20 CUW 3-1 to be eliminated from the NACC Tournament.

The Muskies took an early lead on the Sabres in an elimination game with three runs in the second.  The Sabres responded in a big way plating nine runs in the next half inning.  A two-RBI single from senior Katy Croeker tied the game before fellow senior Peyton Loesch drove in a pair with a single to give Marian the lead.  Freshman Evelynn Spaeth ended the rally driving in a pair of runs.

Sophomore Kaley Ludvigsen padded the Marian lead in the third with a run-producing single.  Then Croeker secured a mercy-rule win for Marian with a solo shot to start the fifth and seal a 10-3 win.  The home run was her second of the year.

Junior Melanie Weigel paced the offense going 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and one driven in.  Croeker also finished going 2-for-3 with three driven in and two runs scored.  Sophomore Emalee Depa (13-4) went 3.0 innings to earn the win, while senior Paige Rauhut tossed the final 2.0 innings without allowing a hit.

In their second elimination game of the day, Marian got caught in a pitching duel.  A solo home run opened the scoring for No. 20 CUW in the second.  The Falcons added to their lead with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth.

The Sabres had managed just one hit through the first six innings, but Marian was able to make things interesting in the seventh.  Weigel started the frame with her seventh home run of the season to put the Sabres on the board.  A hit by pitch from sophomore Julia Corona in the next at bat brought the tying run to the plate but Marian would fall 3-1.

Depa (13-5) dominated in the circle allowing just six hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings of work.

Marian closes out the 2021 campaign with a winning record for the sixth-consecutive season.