Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Wayne, Neb.— With a two game lead over Northern State for the 10th and final playoff spot, the University of Mary softball team needed a split against Wayne State (26-14, 17-9 NSIC) on Sunday to guarantee a spot in the postseason. After losing the first game by a score of 2-0, the Marauders rallied late in game two to pick up a 4-0 win and secure a spot in the playoffs in their final regular season game.
 
Cherlyn Trujillo pitched all 13 innings for U-Mary (24-17, 13-11 NSIC) striking out 14 and allowing just two earned runs. Trujillo picked up her 17th win of the season.
 
In game two Erin Keen picked up what would be the game-winning hit in the seventh with a single up the middle. Keen had a team-high three hits on the day going 3-for-7.
 
The Marauders' offense struggled in game one. U-Mary put together a threat in the third as Jessica Alvarado reached on an infield single with two-outs. Keen followed with a double to right center to put runners at second and third. The Marauders were unable to capitalize, however, as they stranded Keen and Alvarado. Wayne State led off the bottom of the inning with a single and followed with sacrifice bunt. The Wildcats followed with a single to take a 1-0 lead.
 
U-Mary threatened again in the sixth as Keen and Allison Brown each singled to start the inning. Three consecutive outs squandered another scoring opportunity for the Marauders. The Wildcats put together a rally in the bottom of the inning with three straight singles to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Jessica Moorhouse leadoff the seventh with a walk, but U-Mary was unable to capitalize ending the game.
 
Game two proved to be a pitchers duel as neither team scored in the first six innings.
 
WSC's best opportunity to get on the board came in the second as Kylee Simpson doubled with one out. Two batters later Simpson was advanced to third on an infield single, but the Marauders got out of the jam as the following batter popped out to Trujillo on a bunt attempt.
 
U-Mary loaded the bases in the fourth thanks in part to a Wayne State error to start the inning. Following the error, Brittney Hadley and Demaree Rodriguez singled. After a strikeout the Marauders hit into a double play that ended the inning.
 
In the seventh U-Mary was finally able to breakthrough as Alana Norman led off with an infield single. Alvarado followed by reaching on an error. Keen would single up the middle to give the Marauders a 1-0 lead. After Brown was intentionally walked to load the bases, Kimberly McKnight drew a walk to score Alvarado. Hadley followed McKnight with an two-run single to right center to give U-Mary a commanding 4-0 lead.
 
Trujillo shut the door to secure the win and complete the shutout.
 
The Northern Sun Softball Tournament will be held in Rochester, Minn. May 2-4. With conference games to be completed tomorrow, match-ups have not yet been announced. 

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