THE LEAD

JOLIET, Ill. -- The Sabercats had a rough start to the season today, dropping their season-openers at Lincoln Christian University.

The Red Lions pushed 26 runs across the plate in the two-game series. It was the Sabercats' first chance to face live pitchers and play outside, as they had been preparing for six weeks in the Maranatha gym.

THE OVERVIEW

• Results: Maranatha 2-16 Lincoln Christian, Maranatha 0-10 Lincoln Christian
• Venue: DuPage Medical Group Field
• Location: Joliet, Ill.
• Records: MBU (0-2), LCU (2-0)

THE STORY

The Red Lions hit the ground running. After retiring the top of the Sabercats' order, LCU pushed 12 runs across the plate in the bottom of the first inning. After allowing 4 more runs in the bottom of the third, the Sabercats finally posted 2 runs in the top of the fifth but that was all they could muster. Shane Paruch smashed a triple to right field to bring home David Cripps, and Caleb Huthmaker plated Paruch with a single to right-center.

Both games ultimately ended after 5 innings due to the mercy rule. Lincoln Christian held Maranatha to 3 hits in the second game of the series, winning 10-0 off 11 hits. Cripps, Sam Ratledge, and David Hecker all recorded singles for Maranatha in the second game, and Lincoln Christian's Darrion Smith pitched 4 innings, fanning 8 of the 15 Sabercat batters he faced.

Maranatha Lineup (Game 1) - 19- Smith (SS), 7- Cripps (C), 8- Paruch (P), 4- Huthmaker (CF), 10- Ratledge (3B), 6- Hecker (LF), 3- Croswell (2B), 18- Arp (1B), 2- Fredrickson (RF) 

Maranatha Lineup (Game 2) - 19- Smith (SS), 7- Cripps (C), 8- Paruch (3B), 4- Huthmaker (CF), 10- Ratledge (RF), 6- Hecker (P), 3- Croswell (2B), 18- Arp (1B), 2- Fredrickson (LF) 

THE STATS

• Box Score (Game 1)
• Box Score (Game 2)

THE OPPONENTS

• Lincoln Christian competes in the NAIA as an independent member

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats travel to Tennessee on Thursday to take on Johnson University in a four-game series. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule