Caitlin Fitzgerald (So.-Chicago, Ill.) doubled in two runs as part of a four-run first inning and the Lakeland University softball team went on to knock off the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference leaders with a 9-7 win over Marian University Thursday afternoon.

The Muskies rebounded from an 8-0 loss in the first game of the doubleheader, following up with their biggest scoring outburst in more than two weeks against one of the conference's best teams. Lakeland also snapped a five-game losing streak in improving to 10-22 overall and 5-13 in the NACC.

Fitzgerald posted two hits and scored a run, Calie Delisi (Sr.-Oak Forest, Ill.) had three hits and drove in four runs, and Carly Brault (Sr.-Brillion, Wis.) also added three hits, scored three runs and stole four bases, keying the Lakeland attack. The three played big roles in every inning in which the Muskies scored, as they got out to a lead and held on against the Sabres (21-9 overall, 13-3 NACC).

Brault grounded out to drive in a run and Taylor Bush (Jr.-Waukesha, Wis.) also added an RBI triple to score Fitzgerald in the first inning, and Delisi followed with a run-scoring single in the second to give Lakeland a 5-0 lead. The Muskies then responded from two Marian runs in the top of the fourth with three more of their own, including Delisi singling in a run and then later scoring on a single by Rosa Gonzalez (Sr.-Elwood, Ill.).

Lakeland still had some tense moments late, as the Sabres sent 10 to the plate and scored four times in the fifth to close within 8-6. Marian left the bases loaded in the inning, though, as Niki Saviano (So.-Orland Park, Ill.) came on in relief and got out of the inning, and the Muskies held the lead the rest of the way as she straded seven Sabre runners over the final three innings.

Lakeland won despite Marian collecting 16 hits, as the guests stranded 10 runners in Game Two. Bush picked up the win, going four innings and allowing eight hits and five runs with four strikeouts, while Saviano earned the save with 2 2/3 innings of relief, allowing six hits but just one run.

The Sabres dominated the first game, scoring three times in the first and five more in the third for all the runs they'd need to win the game in five innings on account of the eight-run rule. Taylor Lauscher drove in four runs and Alexa Rodriguez added a two-run home run for Marian.

Sabres pitcher Paige Rauhut also pitched a shutout, allowing just two hits and keeping the Muskies hitless until Madi Olson (So.-Eau Claire, Wis.) singled with two outs in the fourth inning. Fitzgerald collected the other hit after coming into the game in the fifth inning.

Lakeland played for the third straight day and the fourth time in five days. The Muskies get a break Friday before being in action again Saturday when they host Benedictine University for a doubleheader starting at noon.