BISMARCK, ND – A hard-fought doubleheader saw the University of Mary softball team (8-19, 1-1 Northern Sun) earn a split against the University of Sioux Falls (13-11, 1-1 NSIC) in their home opener.
USF won game one 6-1, and UMary won game two 4-2. The Marauders won their first game against the Cougars since 2019.
UMary hosts Wayne State College in a doubleheader on Sunday, March 23, at 3 pm at the Minot State University Dome in Minot, ND.
GAME 1 University of Sioux Falls 6 University of Mary 1
USF jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Cougars scored four runs over the final three innings to increase their lead to 6-0.
UMary continued to battle as Genevieve Hastings blasted a single to left field to score Janelle Bergmann. The Marauders would not add on another run as the game finished 6-1 in favor of USF.
Arria Johnson pitched 5.2 innings in relief and allowed only one run while striking out three batters. The Marauders recorded four hits and one walk, while the Cougars had 11 hits and four walks.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
GAME 2 University of Mary 4 University of Sioux Falls 2
The Cougars took a 1-0 lead to open the game. The Marauders tied the game after Ariana Retuta hit a sac fly to center field to score Sariah Perez.
USF regained the lead after scoring one run in the top of the third inning. UMary posted three runs in the fourth inning to take a 4-2 lead.
Genevieve Hastings gave the Marauders a lead when she hit a deep fly ball to right field that was dropped, scoring Janelle Bergmann and Ariana Retuta. Madison Schamanski smashed a double to left-center field to bring home Hastings.
Great pitching and defense saw the Marauders finish the game with a 4-2 victory. Hannah Chambers came on in the sixth inning and pitched two innings of shutout ball to earn her first career save.
Elyssa Verploegen started the game and picked up her fourth win of the season. She pitched five innings and allowed two runs while striking out three batters. The Marauders had five hits and one walk, while the Cougars had seven hits.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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