WATERTOWN, Wis. -- As the sun set on a chilly day at Washington Park, Coach Gary Garrison's post-game prayer cut the cold air in what would be his final action at Washington Park in a Maranatha Baseball uniform.

Fittingly, the final action was a prayer for the man who unapologetically prioritized the spiritual development of his players during his 43-year coaching tenure in the sport of baseball. Ultimately, the final games of the 2023 season would be canceled due to unplayable field conditions, marking an anticlimactic end of Coach Garrison's 16th season at the helm of Maranatha Baseball.

If you look at the wins column, you would see just one: a thrilling 9-6 win over North Central which was highlighted by a home run from Teddy Haugen. But for Garrison, this program has never prized winning as its paramount objective. It's always been about the development of players.

Towards that end, senior David Cripps led the way for the team in his final season at MBU. Cripps batted .303 with three doubles, eight runs, and six RBIs on the season. Cripps was named as the team's defensive and overall MVP.

Freshman Joe Anderson and Teddy Haugen highlighted the newcomers list. Haugen batted .292 with two homers, four doubles, and 19 hits on the season. Haugen pitched the entire seven-inning game in that lone win on the season and he earned the team's pitching ace award. Anderson led the team with a .365 batting average with 27 hits, three doubles, and a triple. Anderson knocked in four runs on the season and was named as the offensive MVP at the end of the season.

"Several of these young guys have gained valuable experience and look to provide great leadership in the coming years," said Head Coach Gary Garrison in his final post-season awards assembly. "Each game has provided new learning for them at the college level. Even though the 2023 season has been a disappointment in some ways, the brotherhood has developed into a very tight-knit bond. I’ve grown to love these guys as brothers in Christ!

"The Sabercats have taken a challenge this year to encourage one another in the Lord and to pray for each other. We have been studying a book this season based on Biblical Masculinity.  It has been a challenge to us all…including myself.

As I bow from the scene, the Sabercats look to build on the progress made this season.  Even though the weather greatly altered our home schedule, Thank you for your support of Sabercat Baseball."

SCHEDULE | ROSTER | STATS

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AWARDS

Coach Garrison recognized the following student-athletes during Athletic Awards Assembly:

Offensive MVP - Joe Anderson

Defensive MVP - David Cripps

Overall MVP - David Cripps

Pitching Ace - Teddy Haugen

Coach's Award - Jonathan Piranian

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OUTLOOK

The team honored David Cripps for his four seasons in a Maranatha Baseball jersey. Cripps was the only four-year player on the team for the 2023 season.