Marian's Stunkel and Lackman Combine to No-Hit Bethel in Game One of Doubleheader Sweep

INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian softball team swept their Thursday doubleheader against Bethel University, starting the twin bill with a combined no-hitter from Olivia Stunkel and Katie Lackman. The Knights won game one 8-0 in five innings, and followed with a 9-4 win in game two to move to 34-6 overall and 24-4 against the Crossroads League.

The Knights got off to a strong start, as Olivia Stunkel pitched a perfect first inning. The bats matched the early start, as Anna Pritchett and Abbey Hofmann reached base before executing a double steal to score the game's first run. Lily Wendt followed up with a double to knock in Pritchett, and Hayley Greene wrapped up the scoring with an RBI single to make it a 3-0 game.

Stunkel retired the side in order in the second inning and repeated her formula in the third. In the top of the fourth, Stunkel lost her chance of perfection with a walk, but regained control recording three consecutive outs.

Leading 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Marian's offense reignited their charge as Ally Malone led off the inning with a double, scoring one batter later on Mystic Means' RBI single. Brooke Knox and Hofmann picked up an RBI to make it a 6-0 game, and with two outs, Grace Meyer doubled in Wendt to cap the scoring at four runs. Marian led 7-0 after the base hit.

In the top of the fifth Katie Lackman came on to pitch for the Knights, striking out the first two batters before forcing a ground out to end the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Karly Anderson singled and stole second, eventually moving to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Hofmann recorded a base hit to right, scoring her teammate to run rule Bethel 8-0. The run rule victory sealed a combined no-hitter for Katie Lackman and Olivia Stunkel, for the team's first no-hitter of the year.

For Stunkel, the senior moved to 19-0 on the year, recording her second combined no-hitter in her career. The Knights' ace had three strikeouts in the win, walking one batter. Lackman pitched in her first collegiate no-hitter, striking out two in her lone inning of work. At the plate, Lily Wendt had a perfect game at the plate to lead Marian, doubling and tripling in her 3-3 outing. Hofmann had a pair of base hits, as did Means who went 2-3. Marian totaled 13 base hits in the victory.

Marian followed the win with a 9-4 victory in game two, seeing Abbey Hofmann, Grace Meyer, Jenna Minnix, and Caroline Roop each have multi-hit games. Macy Coan scored the win pitching five innings, while Alayna Tesnar and Lauren Mayer each pitched one inning of relief.

The Knights close their week at home on April 18, hosting No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan at 1:00 p.m.

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