Marian softball stays unbeaten in NACC play sweeping Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Marian University softball (16-6, 8-0 NACC) defeated Rockford 11-3 and 24-0 to remain unbeaten in NACC play.

In the opener of the day, Marian jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three innings and plated six runs in the fifth inning to defeat the Regents in five innings.  Eight of the nine Sabre starters recorded a hit in the win with four Marian hitters recording multi-hit games.

Sophomore Ally Fox and freshman Peyton Loesch each went 2-3 with Fox scoring two runs and Loesch scoring once with two driven in.  Sophomore Gianna Esposito and freshman Katy Croeker also went 2-4 with Esposito scoring twice and driving in three runs, while Croeker scored once and drove in one run.  Junior Lindsey Strainis drove in four runs going 1-2 with a run scored as well.

In the circle, Paige Rauhut (9-2) earned another victory tossing all 5.0 innings striking out seven hitters and only allowing four hits.

The finale saw Marian plate 24 runs in a shutout of Rockford to secure the sweep.  The 24 runs was the most runs scored in a single game since Feb. 23, 2013 when the Sabres defeated Mount Mary 32-2 in the Finlandia Dome Tournament.

There would be a total of 16 Sabres who would record an at bat in the victory and 14 would record a hit.  Three Marian hitters recorded three hits in the win led by the lead off hitter Fox who went 3-5 with two runs scored and two driven in.  Sophomore Taylor Lauscher finished 3-3 with three runs scored and two driven in, while freshman Alexa Rodriguez went 3-4 with three runs scored and three driven in.

Esposito managed to drive in three runs once again going 2-4 with two runs scored as well.  Sophomore Haley Polakowski had her first multi-hit game in her career going 2-3 with three runs driven in and junior Olivia Hartley returned to the field going 1-4 with two runs scored and three driven in.

Freshman Myranda Schuttenhelm (3-2) earned her first career shutout in the circle for the Sabres only allowing two hits and striking out a pair.

Marian is next scheduled to host Lawrence for a 5 p.m. doubleheader Thursday, April 12 in non-conference action.

–FightBlueFight–