LEAD

NEW ULM, Minn. -- The Sabercats fell in both games of the doubleheader today against Martin Luther by scores of 12-3 and 11-0.

Eryn Bates led the team with 2 RBI on the day, while Sara Hererra bashed her first career double.

OVERVIEW

• Results: Maranatha 3-12 Martin Luther (5 innings)
• Results: Maranatha 0-11 Martin Luther (5 innings)
• Venue: MLC Softball Field, Martin Luther College
• Location: New Ulm, Minn.
• Records: MBU (0-14), MLC (3-13)

STORY

After being on the road for 10 hours due to a bus breakdown, the Sabercats had a little "rust" to shake off, but the first inning was the best of the day as the Sabercats racked up three straight hits to start off, eventually scoring as Eryn Bates drilled a bases-loaded liner into center to score two runs. Advantage: Maranatha.

The Knights, however, clearly wanted revenge as their leadoff hitter homered to start the game, opening the floodgates for an offensive torrent that resulted in Martin Luther drumming across 10 runs in the inning to the tune of nine hits.

Sara Hererra belted her first (extra-) base hit of the year, an RBI double, to start off the second, but Martin Luther stopped the offense there and proceeded to score two more runs in the bottom half of the second. From there, neither team got any offense going until Maranatha singled and walked in the fifth but failed to score at the end of the game.

-

Martin Luther continued the trend of shutting down the Maranatha offense in game two, stopping the tracks cold after two singles in the top of the first. The Knights then went on to score five in the bottom half of the inning, adding on two in each of the following innings.

Maranatha rallied in the top of the fifth, loading the bases on base hits and an error, but the Knights made a tough play to end the game on a fielder's choice, ending the possible comeback early.

SOUND BITE

"We struggled early on, especially defensively," said Coach Rob Thompson after the game. "It looked like we'd been on a bus for 10 hours, which we had, and we just struggled to make plays but the girls finished well. We were glad to be able to get the games in, and the girls continued to battle - that's the biggest thing - they never gave up, never got down on each other, even when things weren't going well. They showed a lot of character in doing that."

--

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

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

STATS

• Box Score: Game 1
• Box Score: Game 2

OPPONENTS

• Martin Luther competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Martin Luther sports 10 underclassmen on their 15-player roster, including seven freshmen

OUTLOOK

The Sabercats continue the series with martin Luther tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.