THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The first day of the MBU-LCU series was all about Lincoln Christian. 

The Red Lions made the most of 10 Sabercat errors in the opening day of the series, taking two solid wins away from the first day of the series.

THE OVERVIEW

• Results: MBU 3-17 LCU, MBU 2-8 LCU
• Venue: Washington Park
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Records: MBU (1-15), LCU (6-18)

THE STORY

The Red Lions scored big when they scored in game one, as they capitalized on seven Sabercat errors to start the series off with a commanding win.

LCU plated four in the top of the second before adding five in the third. Those five runs came courtesy of three Sabercat errors, and when Blake Shaiper kept the "0" on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the inning, things were looking down for Maranatha.

MBU's only answer came in the bottom of the fourth when they posted three runs to cut into the Red Lion lead. Shane Paruch and Dillon Smith both had RBI in the at-bat as the Sabercats finally had something to celebrate.

But the fun stopped there for Maranatha. Lincoln Christian promptly replied with five runs in their next at-bat, once again aided with a couple of errors from MBU. Then in the top of the seventh, LCU scored three final runs to take a convincing 17-3 win in game one.

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Unfortunately for the Sabercats, the second game of the day yielded a similar story, albeit with fewer runs.

A six-run top of the second turned out to be the Achilles heel for MBU, as LCU pushed their runs across to the tune of four hits and one Sabercat error.

The only offense the Sabercats could generate came in the third and sixth. David Hecker scored from second base when Lincoln's pickoff attempt sailed into center field. Then with two runners in scoring position after a big double from Alex Causey, Paruch brought home Clint Matheis with a grounder to second base.

All was going LCU's way on the first day of the series, and the two teams will square off tomorrow beginning at 12 p.m. 

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MBU Batting Order (Game 1) - Hempel (SS), Matheis (LF), Causey (C), Bailey (P), Paruch (3B), Cummins (1B), Croswell (2B), Smith (RF), Gieger (CF)

MBU Batting Order (Game 2) - Hempel (2B), Matheis (1B), Causey (SS), Bailey (C), Paruch (3B), Cummins (P), Hecker (CF), Smith (RF), Gieger (LF)

THE STATS

(Two-game totals)

• Rudy Gieger, Ryan Hempel, Smith, Causey: 2 hits each
• Causey: 2 2B
• Smith: 2B
• Paruch: 2 RBI 

THE OPPONENTS

• Lincoln Christian are dually affiliated: NAIA and the NCCAA DI
• LCU's record includes a 2-7 fall season
• The Red Lions' last win came on April 2 against Calumet College of St. Joseph

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will stay at home tomorrow to conclude the four-game series with Lincoln. The Parents' Day games start at 12:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/composite.