QUICK HITS

• Result: MBU 0-26 Finlandia, MBU 10-14 North Central, MBU 1-15 UM-Morris
• Venue: Plymouth Creek Dome, Plymouth, Minn.
• Attendance: 14, 20, 18
• Record: Maranatha is now 0-3

THE LEAD

PLYMOUTH, Minn. -- In their first time on an actual field this season, the Sabercats were handed an 0-3 start to the season by 3 experienced opponents.

Harmony Bailey finished the day going 4-9 with 3 RBI and a couple of doubles. Tina Kolinski scored 4 runs and had 2 hits and 2 steals.

THE STORY

In their first game of the season, the Sabercats had to face the Finlandia University Lions, who already had 18 games under their belts. Right from the start, the Lions showed that they were already up to game-day sharpness, as they plated 9 runs in the first inning. Finlandia went on to score 26 runs while holding the Sabercats scoreless. Denia Bent pitched a perfect game for the Lions.

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The Sabercats quickly regrouped after that disappointing start, however, as they rallied to score 10 runs in the next game of the day, against the North Central University Rams. The Rams were also coming off of a trip to the south, where they had played 8 games in Florida to begin the year. Bailey got things started off on the right foot, as she swatted an RBI double to center field, which scored Kolinski and moved Megan Rasmussen to third base. Taylor Thome then recorded her first career RBI for Maranatha, as the rookie's grounder to second brought Rasmussen across the plate. After the first inning, MBU led, 4-0.

NCU proved their resilience, however, as they scored 12 runs in the next 2 innings to answer a 4-run opening statement from MBU. Bailey and Kylee Zempel both did what they could to keep the Sabercats level, as a 2-RBI single from Bailey and an RBI double from Zempel kept the Sabercats within striking distance over the next couple of innings. (12-7)

The Rams did enough to keep the Sabercats out of reach, however, as they scored 2 more runs and limited the Sabercats to scoring just 3 runs over the last 4 innings. When the last out was recorded, NCU had taken home the 14-10 win.

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Minnesota-Morris came out swinging against the Sabercats in the final contest of the day. The Cougars, who already had 14 games to their name, pushed runs across in each of their 4 at-bats as a team. And while the Sabercats were limited to 1 run in the game, they still registered 8 hits as a team - that was the most they had recorded all day.

It was no surprise when Bailey and Kolinski both recorded 2 hits and Rasmussen added a single of her own - the top of the order was doing their part. But while the Sabercats were putting runners on base, the Cougar defense frustrated any attempts at a comeback from MBU. The Sabercats' consolation run came in their final chance to extend the game when Bailey doubled to bring home Kolinski. 

THE STATS

Bailey finished the day at 4-9 with 3 RBI and 2 doubles.

Kolinski scored 4 runs, doing her job as the leadoff hitter.

McKenna Hendrickson, Julie Roer, and Zempel all recorded their first career hits for Maranatha.

The Sabercats recorded 12 hits on the day.

THE SOUND BITE

"The girls played hard," said Coach Rob Thompson after the game. "We had a little inexperience that showed up, but we learned a lot and we'll continue to work hard. Just proud of the way we reacted to things and stayed in the game, especially against North Central, as we had a pretty good game and had opportunities to win."

THE CALENDAR

The Sabercats will stay up north for day 2 of the tournament, which begins at 8 a.m. tomorrow against NCU. Follow stats live at mbusabercats.com/composite.