PLYMOUTH, Wis. - Marian University softball (11-14, 6-8 NACC) stayed in the hunt for a spot in the NACC Tournament spot sweeping Lakeland 9-5 and 14-6 in eight innings.

Marian scored all of its runs in the first five innings to open the day.  A three-run homer from sophomore Katelyn Matenaer opened up a 4-0 lead for the Sabres in the second.  A double from junior Emalee Depa followed by a single from Julia Corona put Marian ahead 6-0 heading into the bottom of the third.  The Muskies were able to rally scoring five runs in the bottom half of the third to cut the Marian lead to one.

The Sabres showed poise despite the big inning with senior Melanie Weigel driving in a run in the fourth inning.  Corona then gave an even bigger cushion with a two-run homer in the fifth to set the final at 9-5.

Depa (7-6) did it all for the Sabres going 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and tossing a complete game.  Junior Kaley Ludvigsen also went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

The Sabres then played an extra-innings game for the first time this season but had a huge eighth inning to earn the sweep.  Lakeland was able to build a 4-0 lead after three innings only to have Marian score six runs in the top of the fourth.  A bases-clearing double from freshman Lauren Heisdorf highlighted the inning as the Sabres took a 6-4 lead.  This lead was short-lived, however, as Lakeland immediately tied the game in the bottom half.

Both offenses went quiet until Marian scored eight runs in the top of the eighth inning.  Corona and Matenaer each drove in a pair of runs to highlight the big frame.

Matenaer went 4-for-5 with two runs batted in and two runs scored with Weigel and Depa each recording three hits.  Depa (8-6) earned her second win in the circle on the day going 5.0 innings allowing just two earned runs with four punch outs.

Marian takes on Edgewood at home Sunday, April 24 for a noon twin bill.