THE LEAD

PLYMOUTH, Wis. -- The Sabercats were kept off the scoreboard at Lakeland University this afternoon, falling to the Muskies 8-0 and 15-0.

This was the second consecutive NACC team that the Sabercats have faced, and both teams proved to be unbeatable.

THE OVERVIEW

• Results: MBU 0-8 LU, MBU 0-15 LU
• Venue: Muskie Baseball Field
• Location: Plymouth, Wis.
• Records: MBU (2-20), LU (7-24)

THE STORY

When Lakeland put up five runs in the bottom of the first inning of game one, it was clear that the hosts were determined to defend their home diamond.

And defend it they did. The Muskie pitching staff held Maranatha to just two hits in the opening game, and the Lakeland defense was flawless. Alex Causey and Shane Paruch were the only Sabercats to hit their way to first base, but the Sabercats couldn't do what they needed to convert those hits into runs.

The Sabercats did well fielding-wise. They were charged with one error but turned two double plays in the first game alone.

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The second game yielded a similar story, as the Lakeland bats exploded for 15 runs off 24 hits. LU smashed two home runs and had three doubles, as the second game of the day was more lopsided than the first thanks to a fully-charged offense.

Maranatha did manage to generate more hits in game two, as Ryan Hempel led MBU with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Paruch and David Hecker both contributed singles as well in the second game of the day.

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

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

THE STATS

(Two-game totals)

• Hempel: 3 H, 2B (3-3 in game two)
• Paruch: 2 H
• Causey, Hecker: 1 H each
• MBU: 3 DP turned

THE OPPONENTS

• The Muskies (NCAA DIII) compete in the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference
• Lakeland started their season with a 7-game trip to Florida
• Lakeland is in 10th place in the NACC with a 5-11 conference record

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will travel to Edgewood College tomorrow for a doubleheader at 4:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/composite.