Back-to-back jacks not enough against Marian

CLERMONT, Fla. -- Emily Gigax and Emily Miller hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning to stake the Bellevue University softball team to an early lead but the Bruins were unable to fend off Marian University as the Knights claimed a 3-2 victory over BU on Friday morning at THE Spring Games.

Marian runs their record to 6-1 with the victory while Bellevue falls to 7-9 with the loss.

After an error prolonged the fifth inning, Erica Miller singled home Kaitlyn Williamson with an unearned run that proved to be the eventual game-winner.

Bellevue grabbed the early advantage with the home runs in the second inning but that lead wouldn't hold for long. In the bottom half of the frame Sam Pash sent a two-run shot over the center field fence to scored Mackenzie Reeder and herself to pull the Knights even in the run column.

The Bruins had a chance to tie in the seventh. Courtney Schendt reached on a one-out single and was lifted for pinch-runner Sarah Zeleny who stole second base but a strikeout and a pop out ended the threat and gave the Knights a victory.

Bellevue out-hit Marian by a 6-5 margin on the game. Miller led BU with two hits while Gigax, Sydney Robertson, Alex Tooley, and Schendt each contributed one.

Amanda Wintrow picked up the win in the circle for Marian. She went the distance allowing two runs on six hits and a walk, striking out four along the way.

Erin Sharpe (2-4, 1.99) suffered the tough-luck loss for BU despite six strong innings. She held Marian to two earned runs on five hits and no walks and struck out three.

Bellevue wraps up their Florida trip with a game against Trinity Christian College slated for 11 a.m. local time (10 a.m. CT).