64th article at the Independent

PREP SOFTBALL: Key plays, strong pitching fuels Marshall over Edgerton 6-3 CHRIS DRUMMOND cdrummond@marshallindependent.com

MARSHALL — Despite another chilling day, the conditions seemed perfect for the Marshall softball team when they took the field for its home opener against Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian on Tuesday. Thanks to some key plays made, Marshall kept its hot start to the season going with a 6-3 victory.

Outfielder Regan Loft got it started with a surprising bunt that would score two runs for the Tigers and put them up early 2-0. Marshall starting pitcher Olivia Houseman was absolutely dealing in the circle, going four innings while allowing no runs on only one hit and one walk and struck out six. The Marshall pitchers (Houseman and Morgan Bjella) would combine to strike out 13 batters in the game. However, after four innings the Tigers only had a one-run lead at 3-2. In the bottom of the sixth inning, that would change.

Tigers third baseman Lexie Bednarek came up to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a three-run triple to extend the Tigers’ lead to 6-2. Coach Jack Houseman talked about his team’s performance and the hit by Bednarek.

“Girls played good enough to win, Liv (Houseman), Mo (Bjella) pitched well enough and our bats provided some runs,” Houseman said. “Lexie stepped up big with that hit in the end, if not for that, we would have been tied going into the seventh.”

Along with Bednarek, teammates Taylor Ariasola and Leah Schaefer each also had two hits in the game.

Marshall (2-0) will host the New Ulm Eagles at the Marshall Softball Complex on Thursday evening at 5 p.m.

Marshall 6, Edgerton/SWC 3

Edgerton 000 002 1 – 3 5 1

Marshall 021 003 X – 6 8 3

Hitting: Marshall (Ariasola 2-3, RBI; L. Bednarek 2-3, 3 RBI; L. Schaefer 2-3; Loft RBI; Wherry 1-2; Springborg 1-3).

Pitching (IP-R-ER-H-BB-SO): Marshall (Houseman 4-0-0-1-1-6; Bjella 3-3-0-4-1-7).