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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Behind the power of a six-run sixth inning, the University of Mary advanced to the final day of the Northern Sun softball tournament for the first time since 2008 on Friday afternoon. After opening the day with an 11-0 loss to No. 25 Augustana College (43-11), the Marauders defeated Concordia-St. Paul (20-35) by a score of 9-4 to keep their chances at a conference championship alive.
 
vs. Augustana College
 
Taking advantage of 15-20 mph winds blowing towards the outfield, Augustana launched five home runs between the second and third innings as it handed U-Mary its first loss of the tournament in an 11-0 five-inning game.
 
Leading off the second inning the Vikings blasted a solo shot on a full count to take a 1-0 lead. Two walks and two outs later and Augustana added a three-run blast. The Vikings added a solo homer to take a 5-0 lead.
 
In the third inning the Vikings collected six hits, including two more home runs, as they added six more runs to extend their lead to 11-0.
 
It wasn't until the fifth inning, when Augustana went to the bullpen, that U-Mary recorded its first hit. Taylor Mendez led off with a double and with one out Francine Villalobos singled to put runners at second and third. A fielder's choice and a pick off quickly thwarted the Marauders comeback effort as they fell 11-0.
 
Cherlyn Trujillo pitched 2.1 innings and was saddled with the loss. Melanie Rodriguez pitched 1.2 innings of relief and allowed one run.
 
vs. Concordia St. Paul
 
Lead off hitter Allison Brown cracked her 10th home run of the season and U-Mary took a 2-0 first inning lead en route to a 9-4 win over Concordia-St. Paul.
 
Kristin Ormsby extended the Marauders lead to 3-0 when she came around to score on a triple and a throwing error by the Golden Bears right fielder.
 
Concordia-St. Paul momentarily stunned U-Mary when three-hitter Bekah Roth hit a grand slam to left field in the top of the sixth inning to give the Golden Bears a 4-3 lead.
 
Immediately the Marauders responded, scoring six runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth to regain control.
 
After Erin Keen walked with the bases loaded to tie the game, Brown pulled a single through the left side on a 1-2 pitch to score two runs. The Golden Bears retired the next two Marauders before freshman catcher Amber Gamboa doubled to right center to score two more runs and increase the U-Mary lead to 7-3. An error on a ball hit to short by Mendez scored Gamboa with the sixth run of the inning.
 
Rodriguez pitched five strong innings not allowing a run, but loaded the bases in the sixth and was relieved by Trujillo, who picked up her 18th win of the season. Keen came on to pitch in the seventh and struck out the first two hitters she faced and secured a 9-4 win for U-Mary.
 
The Marauders pounded out 14 hits in the game, including three each by Julissa Perales and Mendez. Brown was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs.
 
Defeating Concordia-St. Paul twice in the regular season and now twice in the tournament, U-Mary has defeated the Golden Bears all four times they have played this season.
 
On Deck
 
The seventh seed, U-Mary faces the second seed, Winona State University, Saturday at 10 a.m. The Marauders defeated the 18th-ranked Warriors 10-8 on the opening day of the tournament.
 
If U-Mary wins it will advance to play top-seeded Minnesota State University. If the Marauders win both games they will have a rematch against the 25th-ranked Vikings of Augustana for the conference championship. U-Mary would need to beat Augustana twice to claim the Northern Sun crown.
 
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