March 20, 2023 -- Maranatha Athletics 

LEAD

WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Maranatha fell in straight games to Crown College last Friday, finishing with scores of 13-5 and 13-2.

Bethany Searle and Dani Chaney both logged two hits on the day. Lindsay Mikkelson, Eryn Bates, and Chaney all contributed an RBI.

OVERVIEW

• Results: Maranatha 5-13 Crown (6 innings)
• Results: Maranatha 2-13 Crown (5 innings)
• Venue: Regional Athletics Center Dome
• Location: West St. Paul, Minn
• Records: MBU (0-4), CC (3-15)

STORY

Maranatha took control in the first inning, making it through the entire batting order. The Sabercats' first six batters made it on base without recording a single out, setting the team up with a 4-0 lead at the end of the first inning. 

The game seemed to be going in favor of Maranatha as they were able to keep their lead by allowing Crown only one run in their first at-bat. But unknown to the Sabercats, the tables were about to turn. 

After cruising through the first inning, Maranatha seemed unable to connect at home plate from there on after. Crown picked off the Sabercats batters quickly throughout the rest of the game, allowing only one more run which came from Erin Baggett who tripled at the top of the fourth and was later brought home by Mikkelson. 

Crown on the other hand was able to put the bat on the ball, recording a total of 14 hits. Multiple fielding errors and mishaps led to many runs for the Polars. Crown finished the game off in six innings with a final score of 13-5.

In the second game, Crown put on the cruise control and never looked back. They continued to find success at the bat, while the Sabercats failed to connect. Maranatha finished game two with only two hits compared to the Polars' eight. The failure to get the sticks going for Maranatha played a key part in their 13-2 loss (5 innings).

Baggett got her first start as pitcher in the game, giving Bethany Searle a well-needed rest before she returned to the mound at the bottom of the third to finish off the game. In a span of four games in two days Searle showed her stamina, pitching 399 pitches and 195 strikes. 

SOUND BITE

"Today we did great and started right off the bat with four runs in the first inning," said Coach Rob Thompson. "We are cruising along and then just had some miscues defensively and couldn't quite seal the deal - we got some runs right away and made some good defensive plays but it kind of just got away from us. Overall just very pleased with the girls and their efforts and we learned a lot. Just what we needed to do to see what we need to work on and fix and make progress through the rest of the season."

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Maranatha Lineup Game 1 - Chaney (C), Searle (P), Nerat (1B), Bullock (2B), Kilian (SS), Bates (3B), Mikkelson (LF), Reid (CF), Butler (RF), Baggett (DH)

Maranatha Lineup Game 2 - Kilian (C), Baggett (P), Nerat (1B), Bullock (2B), Chaney (SS), Bates (3B), Mikkelson (LF), Reid (CF), Searle (RF)

STATS

• Box Score: Game 1
• Box Score: Game 2
• Series: Crown now leads the overall series against Maranatha, 3-1

OPPONENTS

• Crown competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Crown finished the 2022 season with a record of 8-20

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Glendale, Wisconsin to take on Cardinal Stritch on Tuesday, March 28th, at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.