BOWIE, Md. – The Marauders' bats proved to be quiet after an eight day layoff, but they were still able to claim two victories over the Bulldogs because of their pitching. Millersville's hurlers turned three Marauder runs over two games into wins of 1-0 in game one and 2-1 in game two. Alex Schaefer was dominant in game one, tossing seven shutout frames and setting a career high in strikeouts.  The trio of Nicolina Pezzone, Angelina Saverase and Morgan Crutcher followed that up by combining for seven innings of one-run ball in game two. 
 
GAME ONE:
Kendra Bumgardner led off the game with her 100th career hit, becoming the second Marauder this season to reach the milestone; Sam Fried did the same on February 21 against Bloomfield. Bumgardner hit it to the second baseman and used her speed to beat out the throw. Gabi Turner opened up the scoring with a solo blast to left center field in the top of the second. It was her fourth home run of the season and put the visitors on top, 1-0. Unfortunately for the Marauders, those two hits would amount to half of their game total. 
 
However, that would be enough for Schaefer, who got the start in the circle. The senior was coming off of a day in which she set the program record for career strikeouts and added to that total in droves.  Schaefer recorded at least two punchouts in each of the first four frames and reached double figures with a whiff to get the first out in the fifth. After allowing a double to lead off the second, she responded by striking out the side.  The Marauders' all-time leader in punchouts finished with a career-high 14 on the day. She was dominant throughout, allowing just two hits, both of which were by the same batter.  The complete game shutout was Schaefer's second of the season, as she did the same against Goldey-Beacom on February 10. 

GAME TWO:
The Marauders sent Pezzone to the mound looking for the sweep, and she answered the bell through the first two innings. Despite allowing three baserunners, the sophomore transfer kept the Bulldogs off of the board until Saverase took over to start the third. 
 
The Marauders were held quiet on the other end as well through four innings. Bumgardner's one-hundred-and-first hit, a single in the third, was their only knock until the fifth. Marli Schreiner started that inning with a single up the middle. Bryn Spoerl took over for her on first base as the pinch runner and stole second with one out. Angelina Edwards was next to the dish and advanced Spoerl further with a single to right center field.  Bumgardner came up next and hit it to the third baseman, who committed an error to score the go-ahead run.  Turner added another run in their next at bat with her second solo homer of the day to make it 2-0. 
 
That extra tally for Millersville proved to be important when the Bulldogs came to the plate in their half of the sixth. Saverase had hummed through the previous three innings, but a two-out solo home run cut the Marauders' lead to one. That was the only run that the Marauders would allow on the day.  Crutcher came in to pitch in the seventh looking to close out the win and did just that for her first save of the season. 
 
GAME NOTES

• The Marauders have owned this series in past years and just continued their domination today. Their record against the Bulldogs moves to 27-3 all-time and the win extends their winning streak to four games. 
• Schaefer's previous best in strikeouts was 12 against East Stroudsburg on March 3, 2023. It is the fourth time she's reached double figures in her career and the first time she's done so this season after doing it thrice last year. 
• The two home runs give Turner five for the season and three in her last three games. Each of her last three hits have left the park. 

POSTGAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH JEN PROBST

• On Schaefer and the team's pitching: "Alex was in control the whole day. She spun the ball well and threw hard. Our staff did a great job today overall. They worked hard this week at practice to fine tune some areas that were not as strong over spring break. I'm proud of their effort."
• On Bumgardner's milestone: "Kendra puts a lot of time in outside of practice working on her hitting as well as helping others. It was great to be able to celebrate her accomplishment today."

UP NEXT

• The Marauders have one final tuneup before conference play begins. They take on Jefferson on March 17 with game one beginning at noon.