CLERMONT, Fla. – Marian University softball (3-4, 0-0 NACC) hit a home run in the seventh inning of both games to defeat Monmouth (Ill.) 5-3 and Saint Mary’s (Ind.) 3-2.
In the opener against Monmouth (Ill.) the Fighting Scots were able to get out to an early lead scoring once in the third and twice in the fourth off of a long ball. The Marian rally began in the bottom of the fourth when freshman Kerena Wood singled in junior Emalee Depa. Wood then provided a clutch two-out hit in the sixth inning that brought in sophomore Evelynn Spaeth before a double from junior Julia Corona tied the game. After a double-play ended the top of the seventh, Depa finished off the come back with a two-run homer.
Spaeth and Wood each had three-hit games to lead the Marian offense, while Depa (2-2) earned the complete-game victory allowing just eight hits with four punch outs.
The second game of the day was similar as Marian trailed for most of the game but managed to rally late. A double from Spaeth in the top of the first opened the scoring, but the Belles responded with a pair of runs in their half of the first frame. From innings two to five, only one runner between the two teams reached scoring position as the pitchers took over. Each team put a runner in scoring position in the sixth but neither squad could cash in. Still trailing 2-1 in the seventh, junior Andrea Miller would help Marian retake the lead with her second home run of the spring trip, a two-run blast. The Belles then went down in order in the bottom half to help Marian secure a sweep on the day.
Depa had her second multi-hit game of the day along with sophomore Katelyn Matenaer recording a pair of knocks. Senior Cailie Pliner (1-2) earned her first victory of the season going 4.0 innings and allowing just four hits before Depa earned her first save of the year after a perfect seventh inning.
Marian takes a day off before playing Mass.-Dartmouth and Capital Thursday, March 10.
