Big Hits Lead to Game Two Victory over No. 11 Marian
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's softball team (16-14, 9-11 CL) traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to take on the No. 11 Knights of Marian University (20-7, 12-6 CL) on Thursday, April 2.
Marian took control early in the first game, scoring one run in the opening inning and adding six more in the bottom of the second. MVNU got on the board in the top of the second with a home run from Skylar Zimmerman, her third of the season, but that would be the Lady Cougars' only run of the game. The Knights continued to dominate and secured the win in the top of the fifth inning, recording the final out to claim a 10–1 victory.
In the second game, MVNU jumped out to an early lead when Kiera Mayer singled to left field, driving in two runs to give the Lady Cougars a 2–0 advantage. Marian responded in the bottom of the first, scoring four runs to take a 4–2 lead.
Zhari Hill opened the top of the second with a single, followed by another hit from Dakota Staffan. Mayer came through again with an RBI single, and Makenzie Delaney added a big double that drove in three more runs, allowing MVNU to reclaim the lead at 6–4. The Knights answered with a run of their own to cut the deficit to 6–5.
In the top of the fifth, Mackenzie Reeves led off with a single to right-center, and Zimmerman followed with a hit. Staffan then delivered a clutch double, bringing both runners home to extend the lead to 8–5. Marian managed to score again, making it 8–6.
Avery Miller later singled in two runs, setting the stage for Mayer. On the first pitch, Mayer launched her seventh home run of the season, sealing the 12–6 conference victory for the Lady Cougars.
Delaney started in the circle for MVNU before being relieved by Staffan, who earned her ninth win of the season, allowing just one run on three hits.
What's Next
MVNU Softball will be returning to Cougar Field on Tuesday, April 7 to take on the Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan University at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, 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 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.