12-7 Win Over No. 12 IWU Sends No. 13 Marian to CL Tournament Title Game

UPLAND, Ind. - Offense dominated on Thursday in the Crossroads League Tournament, as Marian's bats outlasted No. 13 Indiana Wesleyan in a 12-7 slugfest. The Knights' victory advances them to the Crossroads League Tournament Championship Game and logs their 43^rd victory of the season.

Olivia Stunkel got the nod for the second consecutive day in the circle and dominated for Marian in the top of the first, picking up a strikeout in a three-up, three-down frame. Marian's offense went to work after the defensive start, pushing their first run across on Grace Meyer's two-out RBI single. Jenna Minnix and Hayley Greene reached base with a single and a hit by pitch to load the bags, setting the stage for Ally Malone. The freshman found a pitch and tattooed her first career grand slam to dead center, vaulting Marian to a 5-0 lead and knocking the Wildcats' starter Jordyn Ball from the game. 

Marian's strong start was quickly followed by an equally strong attack from the Wildcats, as Stunkel walked the lead-off batter before allowing a pair of one-out singles. The Knights picked up the second out, but saw the shutout wiped from the board as a bases-loaded walk scored a run. Stunkel then left a pitch over the plate for Whitney Waddell, who capitalized with a game-tying grand slam. With the game level at five, Marian immediately went back to work on offense, picking up two runs in the home half on a two-RBI single from Grace Meyer. Marian led 7-5 after two complete innings.

The heavy offensive start was followed by strong defense, as Olivia Stunkel had to pitch out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the third, stranding three Wildcats on base. The senior then pitched a perfect fourth inning as she retired the side in order, but was at fault for a Wildcat run in the fifth, as an error from Stunkel allowed Sadie Harding to record a sacrifice fly, cutting the lead to one. Marian's offense struggled to generate success in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, seeing only Mystic Means reach base in the stretch, with the freshman reaching on an error in the third.

Carrying their 7-6 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Knights finally broke through as Means reached on a second error by the Wildcats' shortstop. Abbey Hofmann and Caroline Roop each drew a walk to load the bases, and Lily Wendt delivered the crushing blow, breaking her slump with a bases-clearing three-RBI double. Grace Meyer and Jenna Minnix followed with base hits to again load the bases, allowing Hayley Greene and Emily Phillips to draw bases-loaded RBI walks. The crooked five runs gave Marian breathing room entering the seventh, as they carried a 12-6 advantage.

In the final inning, Indiana Wesleyan challenged the Knights one final time as they loaded the bases with a pair of base hits and a walk, eventually plating a run on an RBI base hit. Stunkel remained calm in the circle despite the tying run standing in the on-deck circle, picking up the final two outs to advance Marian to the championship game with a 12-7 victory.

Stunkel moved to 25-0 on the year with the win, battling throughout as she overcame an eight-hit and seven-run outing. The senior picked up three strikeouts on the day. At the plate, Marian racked up eight hits in the win, with Grace Meyer recording a 3-4 outing and three RBI, while Jenna Minnix went 2-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Malone's grand slam was her lone hit of the game, as she plated a team-high four runs. Wendt finished the game 1-4 with three RBI on her sixth-inning double. 

Marian advances to the league championship game for the third consecutive season, with Marian slated to play either Saint Francis or a rematch with Indiana Wesleyan. The title game is slated for 1:00 p.m. from Taylor's Gudakunst Field.

MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos and more.