The Marian University softball team poses with the Crossroads League championship banner after winning both the regular season and conference tournament this year.
Courtesy Marian Athletics
After placing second in the Crossroads League last year, the Marian University softball team wasn’t sure how this season would shake out after losing a lot of talented players on the roster a year ago.
But the Knights were able to rally together at the start of the spring and put together a stellar season, going 45-6 and double dipping by winning the Crossroads regular season crown and also winning the conference tournament last week.
Marian has two Jackson County representatives on the roster — Seymour’s Grace Meyer and Trinity Lutheran’s Savannah Harweger.
“We lost some good players last year, and it was kind of a rebuild this year,” Meyer said. “The fall was shaky, but we all just came together and really showed our talent, and we really have a good chance at winning our opening round at Marian next week.”
In the Crossroads League tournament Saturday, Marian beat Taylor in the championship game 6-4.
Harweger hit a home run in the game, had two RBI, scored three runs and stole two bases.
“It has been amazing playing with her, just being able to play with Savannah and represent our county, just continue to grow that relationship with her,” Meyer said. “She’s playing amazing right now. She got player of the year in our conference and has one of the top batting percentages in NAIA, so she’s really working hard, and I really enjoy playing with her.”
Meyer had a double in the title game, and she also earned some hardware for playing catcher this season.
“It’s going pretty good. I definitely feel like I can improve my hitting, but it’s enough to help the team and get us where we need to be,” she said. “My fielding is good. We got our awards, and I got gold glove for catching. Whatever needs to be done is getting done, but definitely areas I can improve in.”
Marian’s Crossroads League champions have earned an automatic bid to the NAIA Championships with Marian hosting the NAIA opening round May 15 to 17. The Knights learned their opponents in the bracket during the NAIA selection show, which was held Tuesday night.
If the Knights can win their opening round series, they’ll earn a spot in the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia, the following week.
“We have a lot of momentum going into our play-in game and opening round, and we get to host this year, so that’s something that really drives us,” Meyer said. “We hope to get a big crowd there, as well.”