MINOT, ND – The University of Mary softball team opened their 2025 season by splitting a doubleheader against Black Hills State University.

The Marauders fell 7-1 in game one before winning game two 5-2. UMary returns tomorrow in Minot, ND, to take on the University of Providence (10 am) and Minnesota State University Moorhead (2 pm).

GAME 1 Black Hills State 7 University of Mary 1
The Marauders grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Sariah Perez smacked a single into right-center field to bring home Cassidy Bagnell.

BHSU responded with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to give the Yellow Jackets a 4-1 lead. BHSU added one more run in the third inning and two runs in the fourth inning to increase their lead to 7-1.

UMary got runners on in the final three innings but failed to score as game one ended 7-1.  

The Marauders recorded eight hits and one walk, while the Yellow Jackets had ten hits and eight walks.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Jaraya Diaz went 2-for-3.
• Sariah Perez went 1-for-3 with one RBI.
• Madison Schamanski went 2-for-4.
• Kelsey Mischel went 1-for-2 with one walk.
• Jenel Mallari went 1-for-3 with one double.
• Arria Johnson pitched three innings and allowed four hits and two runs while striking out one batter.

GAME 2 University of Mary 5 Black Hills State 2
Elyssa Verploegen made her collegiate debut as the freshman from Havre, MT, went 5.1 innings and allowed only two earned runs to pick up her first win.

BHSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Yellow Jackets added another run in the fourth inning.

UMary rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 4-2 lead. Ariane Sims opened the scoring for the Marauders with a single to center, which brought home Kelsey Mischel. Emma Kimberling tied the game up at 2-2 when she hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Ariana Retuta.

The Marauders took the lead when Sims came home to score on a wild pitch. UMary increased their lead to 4-2 after Madison Schamanski laced a double down the left-field line to score Chloe Robinson.

The Marauders added an insurance run at the bottom of the sixth inning when Sariah Perez came home to score on an error by the Yellow Jackets.

Peyton Whitehead came on in the seventh inning and got the final three outs to pick up the save in the Marauders 5-2 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Madison Schamanski went 1-fo-3 with one RBI and one double.
• Kelsey Mischel went 1-for-2 with one walk and one run scored.
• Sariah Perez went 1-for-3 with one run scored.
• Ariana Retuta went 0-for-1 with two walks and one run scored.
• Ariane Sims went 1-for-3 with one run scored.
• Elyssa Verploegen pitched 5.1 innings and threw four strikeouts.

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