Marian Knights Prove too Much for Cougars to Overcome
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Francis (Ind.) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
|
Marian | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | X | 8 | 12 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Francis (Ind.) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
|
Marian | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 15 | 0 |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - On Monday afternoon, the University of Saint Francis Cougars (17-16; 9-12 Crossroads) traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana for a road doubleheader against the scorching Marian University Knights (28-7; 18-6 Crossroads) but couldn't maintain their momentum from the weekend as they dropped both games by scores of 8-3 and 10-2.
Junior pitcher Mackenzie Rust took the mound to start the opening game for the Cougars and despite allowing a solo home run in the first inning, pitched well in the early going. Meanwhile, her teammates gave her the lead in the top of the third on a two-out two-run single by catcher Tori Miller to take a 2-1 edge.
But in the bottom of the fourth, the Knights went back to work loading the bases with one out and then tying the game on an RBI-groundout followed by a couple stolen bases to regain the lead at 3-2.
Third baseman Dani Karr ledoff the fifth inning with a solo home run to tie the game back up, but then four consecutive hits plated two more runs for Marian in the bottom of the frame and Saint Francis had to play catch up again.
Rust's day was finished after the fifth inning as she surrendered five runs on nine hits while striking out five. Senior Roni Hudson came in to relieve in the sixth but the Knights kept pressing as they scored three more insurance runs capped off by a two-run home run to hand the Cougars the loss 8-3.
In the finale, sophomore Erika Turpin started for the Cougars with hopes of turning the momentum around, but an error followed by a two-run double in the bottom of the first put Marian in front again. Tori Miller got them one step closer with another home run in the third to make it a one-run game, only to have a solo home run hit by the Knights in the bottom of the frame followed by two more hits plated two more runs extending the deficit to 4-1.
Turpin's day was finished after the third and in came freshman Mia Werner to relieve. Then in the bottom of the fifth, a single, double and two-run home run added three more runs to make it 7-1 and then put a cap on the day with three more in the sixth to win 10-2 via mercy rule as the Cougars will need to rebound.
The Cougars resume play Tuesday afternoon when they travel to Winona Lake, Indiana for another road conference doubleheader against the Grace College Lancers (10-23; 7-15 Crossroads) beginning at 3:00 pm.