Softball Falls to Top-Seeded Marian Knights

UPLAND, Ind. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University softball team (28-20) battled the top-seeded Marian University Knights (42-7) in the second game of the day in the Crossroads League Softball Tournament on Wednesday, April 30.

After dispatching Saint Francis in the first game of the day, MVNU advanced to take on Marian. The Knights started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning and two more in the second inning to take a 6-0 lead. MVNU battled back, using a big fourth inning to cut into Marian's lead. Kiera Mayer brought in two runs with a double to left center, Sophie Durbin executed a sac bunt that brought home Mollie Pentz, and Zhari Hill scored Mayer with an RBI single to the shortstop, making the score 6-4.

MVNU inched closer in the fifth inning after Pentz hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Skylar Zimmerman to score. Marian answered MVNU, adding a run in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-5 lead. The Lady Cougars were unable to find a way to even the score and ended up falling to the Knights 7-5.

Maddelyn Wine pitched four innings and allowed two earned runs (seven unearned) to go with three strikeouts. Nadia Hoffman pitched two scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit.

What's Next:

The Lady Cougars look to keep their tournament run alive as they take on No. 3 Huntington University in Upland, Indiana, on Thursday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,100 students from 33 states and 26 foreign countries.