Sioux Center, Iowa — Friends University went toe-to-toe with Marian University in Monday's NAIA Opening Round matchup, but a late rally came up just short in a 5–4 loss to the Knights.

The Falcons scraped back after falling behind 5–2 in the third, scoring runs in the fifth and sixth innings to pull within one. Alex Vick, Becca Dunn, Riley Wertz, and Izzy Jones each drove in runs, and Wertz also contributed on both sides of the ball with a double and an RBI.

Friends managed eight hits on the day, including multi-hit efforts from Vick and Dunn, and stole a base with aggressive baserunning from Elena Montoya. In the circle, Wertz went the distance, tossing 6.0 innings with 3 strikeouts and no walks, allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits. She threw 101 pitches, battling a potent Marian lineup all game long. Despite the loss, the Falcons proved they can compete with the best in the country, nearly knocking off an unbeaten pitcher in Olivia Stunkel (27–0).

Friends will now face Northwestern Ohio, at 12:00PM tomorrow still in Sioux Center!