ELIZABETHTOWN, KY. – The Adrian College softball team begin their weekend series at the 2025 Pioneer Classic, where the Bulldogs split their first two games. The Bulldogs struggled in the first game in the 9-7 loss against Central College and then bouncing back in the 10-4 win over Elmhurst University.
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 1:
Adrian faced a tough start, falling into a seven-run deficit by the bottom of the third. However, the Bulldogs would show a strong offensive push.
Peyton Russell had a standout performance, going 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run homer, driving in two runs.
Genna Marasco chipped in with a clutch single that brought in two more, cutting Central's lead in half.
Taylor Gerhardt added to the rally, going 1-for-4 with an RBI to bring Adrian within two. Despite their late-game surge, the Bulldogs fell just short, dropping the opener 9-7.
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 2:
The Bulldogs came out swinging, opening the scoring in the first as
Hailey DeChalk ripped a hard single up the middle to bring home
Karsyn Malinich. Adrian kept the momentum going in the second, with
Genna Marasco doubling to left to extend the lead to 2-0. Elmhurst answered with a run in the bottom half, but Adrian responded in dominant fashion.
DeChalk struck again in the third, doubling to drive in another run, followed by
Alaina Craig and
Meghan Lupu each delivering RBI singles to push the Bulldogs' lead to 5-1.
Peyton Russell kept the offense rolling, driving home Malinich with a single up the middle and later crushing her second two-run homer of the day to extend the lead to five. Marasco capped off the scoring with an RBI single to plate Craig in the 10-4 win over Elmhurst University.
Malinich had a stellar day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four runs scored. Russell continued her hot streak, finishing 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. Marasco went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Craig contributed a perfect 2-for-2 performance with an RBI and three runs scored.
Adrian's bats were on fire, racking up a season-high 15 hits while tying their highest run total of the year.
Abbi Patton delivered a strong performance in the circle, throwing a complete game with five hits, four runs allowed, and three strikeouts to secure the Bulldogs' eighth win of the season.
The Bulldogs are back on the diamond on Saturday, March 15 where they will face Franklin College at 10:00 AM and Wilmington College at 2:30 PM.
