Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Bismarck, N.D.—After a disappointing start to the conference season against Minot State, the University of Mary (13-9, 1-3 NSIC) was in search of their first Northern Sun win of the season today. The cold weather was no match for the Marauders hot bats as they blasted four home runs in a split with Southwest Minnesota State (9-7, 2-2 NSIC). The Marauders scored nine of their 11 runs on the day off of their four home runs.

Erin Keen started the game first game strong for U-Mary on the mound allowing just one run through three innings. In the bottom of the third Brittney Hadley picked up Keen by blasting a two-run home run (6) to left field to give the Marauders a 2-1 lead. Keen helped her own cause two innings later hitting a home run (1) of her own, a three-run shot, that put U-Mary up 5-1.

An error and a series of walks lead to a seven run Mustang sixth and put the Marauders down 8-5. Kimberly McKnight relieved Keen in the inning and held SMSU scoreless the rest of the way.

Down three entering the bottom of the seventh, McKnight lead off the inning with a solo homer. Down two, U-Mary was able to load the bases, but a fly out to right ended the threat and saddled the Marauders with an 8-6 loss.

Cherlyn Trujillo was dominant on the mound for U-Mary in the second game striking out a career-high 16 batters, while allowing zero earned run. Trujillo also helped her own cause in game two going 1-for-2 with a run batted in.

The top of the Marauders lineup came up big in the second game as their first three batters finished with two hits. Senior Jessica Alvarado was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. In addition to her two hits, Keen also scored two runs. Down 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Allison Brown stole the show for the Marauders with a walk-off three-run home run to give U-Mary a 5-3 win.

The Marauders will be back in action tomorrow at 11 a.m. as they host Sioux Falls (7-11, 2-2 NSIC) to wrap-up the weekend.

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