BEMIDJI, MN - In their third straight day of conference doubleheaders, the University of Mary Softball team was within reach of two losses to Bemidji State University. Francesca Villaneda cracked four base hits on the day and the Marauders kept the games close behind tough outings from Emari Evans and Nicole Eckhardt. 

GAME ONE
UMary (5-32, 0-18 NSIC) was unable to muster run support in a close 3-0 loss to Bemidji State (18-18, 7-7 NSIC). 

Emari Evans set the tone early for a strong start with two strikeouts to start the game in the circle. The redshirt sophomore from Surprise, AZ went five complete innings with three strikeouts, one walk, one hit by pitch, and three runs given up. 

The Beavers would finally jump on the board when Alexa Christenson homered for two runs in the fifth inning. Molly Houts would score while another runner was thrown out in the sixth.

The Marauders left two runners stranded when the game ended 3-0 in the next frame. UMary finished with four team hits as Kyla Damerow earned the win with a complete game shutout. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Janelle Bergmann | 2-3
Francesca Villaneda | 1-2
Brooke McClure | 1-3

GAME TWO
One late run in the bottom of the sixth allowed Bemidji State to escape with a 5-4 victory over UMary in game two. 

The Beavers gained the first lead again with a pair of RBI singles from Molly Houts and Ashley Herold in the bottom of the first. 

The Marauders were able to answer in the next frame as Brooke McClure brought Francesca Villaneda home on a fielder's choice. In the next at-bat, Kaylee Kannegiesser singled up the middle to score Brooke De Jonge and tie the game 2-2. 

After the Beavers retook the lead 4-2 in the fifth, Brooke De Jonge reached on an RBI fielder's choice to score Madison Wszolek. De Jonge then stole second and advanced to third on an error by the second baseman, allowing Janine Warne to score the tying run. 

After Kora Martin drove home the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth, the Marauders were retired in order in the seventh to fall just short 4-5. 

Stella Dolan finished with eight strikeouts in her ninth win on the season for the Beavers. Kyla Damerow earned the save. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Francesca Villaneda | 3-3, 2B, R
Kaylee Kannegiesser | 2-4, RBI
Madison Wszolek | 1-3, R
Brooke De Jonge | R, RBI
Brooke McClure | RBI
Mckenzie Reinhardt | 1-3 

UP NEXT
UMary Softball will return home with hopes of finally hosting a weekend of NSIC games in Bismarck. The Marauders will play Upper Iowa University (14-19, 6-9 NSIC) Saturday at noon and 2 pm, and then Winona State University (30-11, 13-3 NSIC) Sunday at noon and 2 pm. Stay tuned for an official site to be named by following along at goumary.com or on Marauders Athletics' social media @umarysports. 

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