Marian University softball (9-12, 4-6 NACC) defeated Alverno 11-2 and 10-0 in a pair of five-inning wins.
Marian scored in every inning of game one and finished with 11 hits. The Sabres were able to take advantage of a pair of unearned runs in the first inning before a big second saw Marian score five runs. Sophomore Katelyn Matenaer and junior Kaley Ludvigsen drove in runs to open the inning. Senior Melanie Weigel then drove in a pair of runs with a double followed by a run-producing single from sophomore Taylor Towry.
Sophomore Haley Tice drove in a run in the third before another error saw Marian build a 9-0 lead after three innings. The Inferno would get a pair of runs in the top of the fourth but the Sabres had a response. Junior Andrea Miller and sophomore Sophia Albrecht brought in runs to eventually put the final at 11-2.
Matenaer was the lone Sabre with a multi-hit game going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a run driven in. Junior Emalee Depa (6-5) earned the victory allowing just two hits over 3.0 innings.
The offense continued to roll in game two along with the pitching staff combining for their third shutout of the year. Sophomore Evelynn Spaeth opened the scoring for the game in the first followed by a double from Weigel. Another big second inning saw Marian score five times and build a 7-0 lead. Ludvigsen opened the scoring for the inning before freshman Kerena Wood drove in a pair of runs. Spaeth and Depa each drove in a run to close out the scoring for the inning.
A bases-clearing double from Spaeth in the bottom of the third ended the scoring for the game at 10-0.
Spaeth drove in five runs and scored once as part of a 2-for-2 game, while Wood finished with a pair of runs driven in and three runs scored. Towry, senior Cailie Pliner, and Albrecht combined for the shutout in the circle allowing just five hits.
Marian is scheduled to travel to Concordia Wisconsin Monday, April 18 for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.
