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Box Score 2 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Indiana Wesleyan University softball outslugged host Marian (Ind.) University 10-9 in the nightcap of the doubleheader to earn a split Thursday afternoon in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Marian (26-9, 6-4 MCC) won Game 1 by a 7-3 score as both teams now have four losses in Mid-Central College Conference games.
Indiana Wesleyan (37-10, 12-4 MCC) looked to have Game 2 in the books with a five inning mercy rule victory. IWU scored four in the first, one in the second, and three more in the fifth to lead 8-0 and three outs away from a victory. But Marian exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend the game. In the next inning, Marian scored once to tie the game 8-8.
The Wildcats regrouped and scored two in the top of the seventh to lead 10-8. Rightfielder Michelle McGary tripled home one run and later scored on an RBI single by leftfielder Sam Hemming.
Marian scored one run in the bottom of the seventh and had the tying run on second base and the winning run on first base with just one out. IWU starting pitcher Abbie Forman was able to get the next two Knights to strike out looking to secure the victory.
Shortstop Emily Sell finished 3-for-5 with three RBI and third baseman Bryttany Van Vliet added a 2-for-3 performance with three RBI as well. Hemming hit 2-of-3 with a pair of RBI while first baseman Jessica Hull scored three times.
The Knights led the entire first game en route to the 7-3 win. The Wildcats trimmed the deficit to 3-1 with a run in the fourth, but the Knights tallied three in the fifth for a 6-1 advantage. The score was 7-1 before the Wildcats plated two in the seventh.
Forman took the loss for Indiana Wesleyan as she allowed seven runs (four earned) on 10 hits. She walked three and struck out one.
Hull was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored and rightfielder Erin Moeller was 1-for-3 with a double and a run.
Indiana Wesleyan will complete the regular season on Saturday at home against University of Saint Francis (Ind.). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Wildcat Field.
