BISMARCK, ND – Madison Jahner homered in the opening game before pitching a complete game in the nightcap to lift the University of Mary softball team to a home split with Southwest Minnesota State University. The Mustangs captured the opener 4-1 before the Marauders rebounded for a 5-2 win in game two.
 
Jahner opened the scoring in the opener with a solo home run to right center field, a one-out blast to give the Marauders a 1-0 lead after three innings.
 
Brieann Backes kept the Mustangs in check through three innings before the Mustangs immediately retaliated, scoring three unearned runs in the top of the fourth. Two UMary errors and three SMSU hits – including a two-run single by Karmann Carrol – pushed SMSU out in front 3-1. Another unearned run in the sixth sated away the win for the Mustangs.
 
The Marauders struck quickly in the second game, posting a pair of runs in both the first and the third innings. Mendez tripled home the first run of the game and scored on a ground out by Amber Gamboa for a 2-0 lead. In the third, Hannah Holtz tripled home a run before scoring on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Mendez.
 
Jahner made the early support stand up. The freshman hurler kept the Mustangs from by crossing the plate until scoring single runs in both the fifth and seventh.
 
Keller and Holtz both had two hits and scored twice. Holtz also had an RBI. Mendez and Gamboa each drove in two runs.
 
Mary has won five  of its last six games.
 
The Marauders conclude the weekend against the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, April 15, starting at 11 AM.
 
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