Softball uses seven home runs to sweep Sabres

MEQUON, Wis. – The Falcons used seven home runs to send Marian home with a sweep on Saturday afternoon. The CUW softball team swept the Sabres on Saturday, 6-4 and 16-6. The wins elevate the Blue and White to 14-7 and keeps CUW atop the NACC standings at 9-1.

"You do not get results like this without great leadership," said head coach Steve Crook. "I was pleased with seeing our leaders step up today on the field and in the dugout. We had individuals step into situations and they did really well. These were two really good team victories."

The Sabres struck first on Saturday with a run in the first and third inning.

Marian added two more runs in the fifth inning on a two-run home run.

In the sixth inning, the rally began with a bases-loaded walk of senior Maddie Zazas (Mundelein, Ill.) to score junior Nicole Lewis (Manhattan, Ill.).

Freshman Baileigh Johnson (Neillsville, Wis.) then scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of sophomore Jenna Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.).

The Falcons trailed 2-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh, but used a program-record three home runs to make magic happen.

Junior Emma Schimberg (Random Lake, Wis.) started the scoring with a home run to center field.

Senior Becky Bonnin (Kenosha, Wis.) then tied the game at the next at bat with a blast to left field to tie the game.

With freshman Krystal Cortes (Aurora, Ill.) on first base, junior Molly O'Connell (New London, Wis.) ended the game with a home run to right field.

Freshman Gina Followell (Romeoville, Ill.) recorded six strikeouts in the start. Nicole Lewis earned her second victory of the season.

Molly O'Connell led the flock with two hits.

Senior Samantha Schumacher (Freedom, Wis.) kept the Marian runners glued to the bases.

The Sabres struck first in game two with three runs in the first inning.

The Falcons smacked the Sabres with five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead back for good.

Jenna Pozezinski had a single to center field that scored Maddie Zazas, junior Samantha Schloegl (Genoa City, Wis.) and Molly O'Connell.

Becky Bonnin blasted her second home run of the game over the fence in center field, to score Jenna Pozezinski.

The second inning saw Krystal Cortes send the ball out of the park in a no-doubt shot to left field.

Jenna Pozezinski singled up the middle to score Samantha Schloegl and Molly O'Connell.

Maddie Zazas scored on an error to close the scoring in the second inning.

Marian added a run in the third inning on a wild pitch.

The Falcons bounced back in the bottom of the third inning with a home run from Krystal Cortes and a sacrifice fly from Maddie Zazas that scored Molly O'Connell.

Marian added two more runs in the fourth inning.

Freshman Taylor Kuske (Kaukauna, Wis.) singled to left field to score Becky Bonnin and Sara Rosenow.

Molly O'Connell closed the scoring with a three-run home run to score Krystal Cortes and Taylor Kuske.

The game ended with a successful pick off from Taylor Kuske to the runner on first base.

Freshman Alyssa Vilkoski (Greenfield, Wis.) had three strikeouts in the win. Nicki Becker notched two strikeouts in relief.

Krystal Cortes led all hitters in game two with three hits.

The Falcons return to play on Monday at Aurora.