LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Hoping to play spoiler on the second day of the Desert Stinger, the University of Mary Softball team's comeback attempt in the first game against the University of Nebraska-Kearney fell just short in the final inning, and had no answer for #14 California State University-Monterey Bay in the second game as U-Mary remains looking for their elusive first win of the season.
 
The Marauders (0-4) had the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh against the Lopers (2-1) before the rally monkey decided his time was done, while the Otters (3-2) demonstrated their prominence in the NFCA Division II poll with an explosive sixth inning in the shortened contest.
 
GAME ONE vs NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
 
It appeared as if U-Mary bit off more than they could chew against Nebraska-Kearney as the Lopers opened up the top of the first inning with a three-run outburst off a sacrifice fly and a passed ball to go with an RBI single. Yet the Marauders responded in the bottom of the frame off a bases-loaded RBI single from Amber Gamboa that drove in Alana Norman, followed by a sacrifice fly from Kylie Alto that brought in Demaree Rodriguez to put the score at 3-2 heading into the second inning.
 
Nebraska-Kearney added two more in the top of the third with a two-run blast to put the score at 5-2, but Alto kept the offense rolling with an RBI single in the bottom of the third that brought in Taylor Mendez to keep U-Mary hot on the Lopers' tail.
 
The Lopers got most of their production in the top of the fourth with six runs driven across the plate off a pair of RBI singles, a two-run RBI double, and took advantage of some defensive miscues to score on an error and a double steal attempt for a commanding 11-3 lead.
 
U-Mary put their head down in the bottom of the fourth to stay within striking distance as they took advantage of a Nebraska-Kearney error to bring in Norman and Alexandra McDermott with two outs in the inning, while Shawnee Zink powered a pitch over the fence for her second homerun in as many days that brought in three runs total to cut the Lopers' lead down to 11-8 heading into the fifth inning.
 
Nebraska-Kearney got added their insurance run in the top of the seventh on a solo shot and the Marauders had their work cut out for them in the bottom half of the frame as they faced a four-run deficit.
 
Alto got the rally started with a double to center field followed by drawn walk from Colleen Crutchfield to get the first two batters aboard. After two quick outs to put the Marauders in desperation mode, Norman loaded the bases up with a single to left field to bring up Demaree Rodriguez for the scoring opportunity.
 
Demaree responded with a hot shot back up the middle to bring in Alto and put the score at 12-9, and Mendez followed that up with a two-run liner to left field that put runners at the corners with two outs.
 
Sadly, the rally was cut short as the Lopers forced a fly ball from Gamboa and U-Mary left the diamond with a 12-11 loss.
 
Taylor Mendez, Alana Norman, and Kylie Alto all finished with three hits apiece as Mendez scored twice and  drove in two runs, Norman ended with three runs scored, and Alto added a double, two RBI, and a run scored.
 
Demaree Rodriguez notched two hits in the contest to go with her lone RBI and run scored, while Shawnee Zink's lone hit went over the fence for three RBI.
 
MeLanie Rodriguez ended up with the loss as she lasted three innings and gave up 11 hits and 10 runs, eight earned, in 21 batters faced. While Taylor Lara came into the game in relief and finished with four innings pitched, gave up four hits, two earned runs and five walks.
 
GAME TWO vs #14 CAL STATE-MONTEREY BAY
 
The second game started off in better fashion as Zink drove a liner to center field that brought in Mendez in the top of the first inning, putting the Marauders up early with a 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, the defense was more stout as they connected with an inning-ending double play with a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the first.
 
U-Mary extended their lead in the top of the third after Norman drew a leadoff walk and Demaree Rodriguez followed up with a bunt single to put ducks on a pond at first and second with no outs. Mendez reached on a fielder's choice that found Rodriguez out at second and Gamboa followed up with a RBI single back up the middle to bring in Norman for a 2-0 lead. That would be the last run the Marauders would score, unfortunately, as the Otters ended the inning after a throwing error putout Mendez at third but allowed Zink to reach base and forced a groundball from Alto in the ensuing at bat.
 
Cal State-Monterey Bay got on the board in the bottom of the third after the lead batter reached base after getting hit by a pitch, and got their first run on a double steal attempt two batters later to put the score at 2-1. A Marauder error with two outs kept the inning active and the Otters took advantage of the mistake with a three-run shot to put U-Mary in a 4-2 hole heading into the top of the fourth inning.
 
The Otters added another run in the bottom of the fourth on a Marauder error following a stolen base, while U-Mary's offense couldn't find the much needed spark.
 
Cal State-Monterey Bay dashed any hopes of another comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth despite U-Mary getting the first two batters out in the inning, as they loaded up the bases with a slew of singles and one swing of the bat brought them all home with an RBI triple to put the score at 8-2. The following batter provided the exclamation point on the game as she sent a blast over the right center field fence to close the books on the second game of the day at 10-2.
 
Five different Marauders recorded a hit in the game, although nobody had a multi-hit game, as Demaree Rodriguez, Taylor Mendez, Amber Gamboa, Shawnee Zink and Taylor Lara all recorded singles. While Alana Norman added two walks to her total but couldn't use her speed on the base paths as she failed to record a stolen base.
 
Lara came away with the loss as she lasted five innings and gave up six hits, five runs, but only one was earned as the defense committed three errors in the game.
 
The Marauders will wrap up their visit to the desert tomorrow afternoon as they take on Concordia University-Irvine, starting at 1:30 PM CDT.
 
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