LEAD

CARLINVILLE, Ill. -- The Blackburn College Beavers started with a bang and never looked back, winning both games on the first day of the weekend series while holding Maranatha to one run in each.

The two teams resume the series tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. at North Mac High School for a Saturday doubleheader.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 1-16 Blackburn (5 innings)
• Result: Maranatha 1-13 Blackburn (5 innings)
• Venue: Blackburn College
• Location: Carlinville, Ill.
• Records: MBU (0-6), BC (5-7)

STORY

Krysten Lawver had an RBI in the top of the first inning to get Maranatha on the board after Dani Chaney (single), Malia Bullock, and Laura Brown (walks), loaded the bases for the Blue and Gold.

But that was all the scoring Maranatha would do in the opening inning, as Blackburn exploded in the first two innings to score 14 runs. Holly Heuerman highlighted the hammering with a grand slam in the first inning - one of two homers in the inning - and the Beavers looked to be in full control. Maranatha could only register four hits and one run (unearned) off of Taylor Girth, who started and pitched all five innings for the Beavers.

Aubrey Secor recorded her first career hit in the opening game, as she pinch-hit in the fifth inning for Maranatha, but at the end of the five-inning game, the Beavers had wrapped up a 16-1 win.

Game two was a similar story. Lawver notched another RBI in the top of the first, but Blackburn unleashed the full force of their hitting over the next three innings. The Beavers put seven runs on the board in the third inning alone, posting nine hits - eight of them singles - to put Maranatha well out of reach to the tune of 13-1.

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Maranatha Lineup Game 1 - Bullock (2B), Massey (LF), Chaney (C), Brown (SS), Lawver (1B), Bailey (P), Bates (3B), D'Oyley (RF), Searle (CF)

Maranatha Lineup Game 2 - Bullock (2B), Massey (LF), Chaney (SS), Brown (CF), Lawver (1B), Bailey (C), Bates (3B), Herrera (DP), Searle (P),  D'Oyley (FL/RF)

SOUND BITE

"The girls played hard tonight - they really kept good attitudes," said Coach Rob Thompson. "A couple innings got away from us but we did some really good things, so I was proud of the way they bonded together and encouraged each other. Everyone played, in either of the two games and Aubrey Secor got her first hit, so that was exciting to see. Blackburn had some very good hitters and got us on some home runs and found holes in the defense.

"Bethany Searle did well in the circle, and we were overall just pleased with the efforts and we're ready to go again tomorrow."

OPPONENTS

• Blackburn competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Blackburn has already surpassed their win total from 2020-21, picking up three wins in March

OUTLOOK

The Sabercats continue the series against Blackburn tomorrow at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.