GRENADIERS FALL 2-1 TO NO. 2-RANKED MARIAN IN 14 INNING THRILLER
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The IU Southeast softball team fell 2-1 in 14 innings to No. 2-ranked Marian to open the 2019 NAIA Softball Championship Opening Round on Monday.
The Grenadiers (32-24) threatened to open the scoring in the top of the sixth when Ashtyn Sharp singled to left and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Weiss. She advanced to third on a groundout by Kyndyl Olds but was stranded there when Becca Schoenung struck out swinging.
Marian (50-0) tried to break through in the bottom of the inning when Shelbie Stotts singled to the infield and advanced to second on a sac bunt. But starter Emily Weiss struck out Sadie Baugh then got a groundout to end the inning.
Maggie Lubbehusen singled up the middle with one out in the seventh inning and Reecie Gilliam ran for her. Kaitlyn Flowers singled to short to put runners at first and second with one out and Justice Kline grounded out to second to advance the runners.
Morgan Keefer singled to left score Gilliam and Flowers was thrown out at the plate to end the inning but IU Southeast was three outs away from the upset.
The Knights responded with a leadoff single by Maddie Bombei. She advanced to second on a stolen base and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sidney Gerkin. Katie Hewitt groundout out to short and the runner was forced to hold at third. But a passed ball by Reecie Gilliam tied the game. Olivia Hoffman singled but was forced out on a fielder's choice to end the inning.
Marian had multiple chances to win the game in extra innings but Weiss was able to work out of jams. In the eighth, Issy Hoyt drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a double by Baugh. Mary Crumlin popped out, Bombei walked to load the bases but Gerkin popped out to second to end the threat.
In the 11th inning, Hoffman hit a one-out double but Kassie Cadle popped out. Hoffman advanced to third on a passed ball but Baugh flied out to right.
In the 14th inning, Stotts reached base on an error when she bunted back to Weiss who could not handle the ball cleanly. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hoyt and then Crumlin singled to center for the walkoff hit.
Weiss (16-13) worked 13 and a third innings for the Grenadiers and threw 191 pitches. She allowed two runs, one earned on 11 hits. She walked seven and struck out five.
Ashtyn Sharp had three hits and a walk in the loss.
Shelby Herron (21-0) worked the final four innings to get the win. She allowed just one walk and struck out one.
The Grenadiers take on No. 3 seed Midland University (Neb.) Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET in an elimination game.
