May 3, 2008

Marshall, MN – The University of Mary stayed alive in the Northern Sun softball tournament, rebounding from an opening-game loss to defeat Bemidji State University 6-3. The Marauders now move on to day two of the tournament and will face Wayne State College at 10 a.m. on Sunday in a loser-out game.

Since opening the NSIC tournament with a 4-2 loss to Concordia-St. Paul, the Marauders will need to win five consecutive games on Sunday to win the tournament. The winner of the Northern Sun tournament automatically advances to the NCAA regional tournament next week.

The Marauders wasted no time jumping all over the Beavers, scoring two times in the bottom of the first inning. All-NSIC second baseman Meghan Ward led off with a single and scored on a two-out base hit up the middle by Dre Brunskill. Brunskill eventually scored when Rosie Gonzales was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The Marauders tacked on four in the fourth. Gonzales reached after she was hit by another pitch and stole second. A Kaitlyn Richardson single would then score Gonzales. Sami Antolin would add a run-scoring single and Leslie Benavidez drove in two more runs with another base hit and the Marauders led 6-0.

Starting pitcher Ashley Watson kept the Beavers in check all game but eventually gave up three runs in the sixth. Watson pitched a complete-game victory, allowing eight hits and three walks while striking out three.

Benavidez and Brunskill both had two hits for the Marauders. Ward scored twice.

In the opener, Concordia-St. Paul scored three times in the sixth to take the lead for good.

The Marauders claimed a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Ward, who stole second and advanced to third on a CSP throwing error, scored on a single by Antolin. U-Mary would give the run back in the fourth without giving up a hit, committing two errors and throwing two wild pitches to let CSP score the tying run.

The Golden Bears assumed control of the game in the fifth, again with the help of the Marauders defense. Back to back doubles, a hit batter and an infield single led to two runs and a throwing error gave CSP a third run and a 4-1 lead.

In the seventh, the first two U-Mary batters of the inning reached base, but the Marauders were limited to one run.

The Marauders were limited to six hits. Ward had one of the six. She also scored a run, drove in a run, and stole a base. CSP also had six hits but were helped by four U-Mary errors.

Brenda Langston threw a strong game for the Marauders, striking out seven and walking three while allowing just six hits and two earned runs.

The Marauders keep their record even on the season at 29-29 overall.