• Result: MBU 4-12 Mount Mary, MBU 2-8 Mount Mary
• Venue: Brandt-Quirk Park
• Attendance: 103, 83
• Record: Maranatha is now 1-23

THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Sabercats had some chances today, but the Mount Mary Blue Angels continue to pose a threat, taking their third consecutive sweep of a doubleheader at Brandt-Quirk Park.

Taylor Thome continues to produce at the plate, as the rookie registered two hits in both games while leading the Sabercats with three RBI.

THE STORY

Mount Mary plugged away in game one, as they recorded at least one run in every at-bat. But after the visitors posted four runs through the first three frames, Maranatha made the game interesting with a four-run showing in the top of the fourth inning.

A double from Harmony Bailey put two Sabercats in scoring position, then an RBI single up the middle from the red-hot bat of Taylor Thome made it a two-run ballgame. Following Thome's hit, a Mount Mary miscue and an RBI single to center from Maisy Alldredge tied the game at four apiece.

The Sabercats' parade was quickly rained on, however, as MMU pushed five runs across in the bottom of the fifth before finishing the Sabercats off in the bottom of the sixth. The visitors needed just one run to make it an eight-run game in the sixth frame, as the contest ended prematurely due to the run rule.

Bailey was in the circle for game one, and the sophomore upped her career strikeouts mark to 112.

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Game two was "the one that got away" for Maranatha, as they stranded seven runners through the last four innings.

Mount Mary started off hot, as they scored three runs in the opening frame. Maranatha then made it an interesting game in the fourth and fifth, as they came back to within one run. Thome once again provided an RBI single, bringing home Tina Kolinski from second base. Then in the top of the fifth, it was Kolinski's turn to drive in a run, as her single plated Maisy Alldredge to put the Sabercats within reach.

Sensing the danger, Mount Mary responded with a crippling blow of five runs over their next two at-bats. When all was said and done, the Sabercats were denied the wins on their home diamond yet again by the Blue Angels of Mount Mary University.

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Between games, there was a brief ceremony for the graduating players, as Bailey, Kolinski, Megan Rasmussen, Katie Bender, Janae Jorgensen, and Kylee Zempel were all recognized for their contributions to Sabercats Softball.

THE STATS

Thome was the only Sabercat to record an RBI in both games.

Zempel stole three bases on the day.

Mount Mary's Adrianna Nester picked up her third win against the Sabercats this season.

Both teams recorded nine hits in the second game.

Payton Hintz homered for MMU in game one. That was her first homer of the season.

THE SOUND BITE

"The girls really played pretty well overall," said Coach Rob Thompson after the game. "We gave ourselves opportunities and put ourselves in position for go-ahead runs in both games, and did well to keep battling all the way to the end. Maisy and Harmony both pitched really solid games overall - this was probably our best back-to-back doubleheader of the season with our pitching. Taylor Thome also continues to be a great presence for us in the fourth spot. We'll keep battling, working hard, and learning."

MOUNT MARY UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

• The Blue Angels join the Sabercats as members of the Association of Division III Independents.
• Mount Mary now holds a 38-20 advantage in the all-time series with Maranatha.
• The Blue Angels will face Rockford University in a doubleheader Friday to conclude the season.
• Mount Mary now holds a 6-18 record on the season.

THE CALENDAR

Maranatha will wrap up their season tomorrow with a 5 p.m. doubleheader at Silver Lake College. Find results at mbusabercats.com/composite.