INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - No. 20 Indiana Wesleyan softball traveled to No. 10 Marian on Saturday for a rematch against the Knights after dropping two games earlier this month. IWU shut down one of the top offenses in the country and brought home two upset wins to narrow the gap for first place in the Crossroads League. The Wildcats sit three games back from Marian in the standings with 4 games left to play in the regular season.

Only one run was needed for the Wildcats in Game 1 as a defensive clinic secured the 1-0 victory to IWU. The offense turned it up in Game 2 with eight hits to claim the upset sweep over the Knights, 8-3.


 

THE ESSENTIALS

 

• Location: Indianapolis, Ind. / MU Softball Field
• Records: IWU 35-11, 24-8 CRL | MU 38-6, 27-5 CRL
• Game One Score: IWU def. MU 1-0
• Game Two Score: IWU def. MU 8-3
• NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU – #20 | MU – #10

 

 

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

• Alyssa Wagner silenced the Marian bats after throwing seven strikeouts and giving up just one hit in a complete game shutout.
• A two-out double by Chloe Tragesser drove in the eventual game-winning run.
• The Wildcats out-hit the Knights 8-1 and left nine runner on-base.
• Kamryn Buck went a perfect 3-3.

  

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

• IWU took a 3-0 lead in the 3rd inning after Ashton Whitman lined a ball to left field to score two.
• Kamryn Buck stayed hot in Game 2 with her 8th home run of the season to make it 6-1.
• Marian tied to mount a comeback with two runs scored in the bottom of the 7th, but a diving catch from Julianne Bell secured the final out and the upset sweep.
• Emma Etter-Cox had an elite performance in the circle after fanning five batters in 6 innings. 
   

  

BABINSKI PERSPECTIVE

 

• "Today felt like World Series games with the level of play, the fans, and intensity," said Steve Babinski, Head Softball Coach. "I am so proud of our girls. They stepped off the bus with a mission and purpose...stepping into the challenge! They played for God and each other and found ways to execute! Celebrate with us Wildcat Nation, it's a great day to be a Wildcat!

  

NEXT TIME OUT

 

• The Wildcats return to Sue Bowman Field on Tuesday for a doubleheader against Spring Arbor beginning at 4:00 p.m.

 

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

 

• Follow Athletics (@IWUWildcats): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
• Follow Softball (@IndWesSoftball): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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