LEAD

PLYMOUTH, Wis. -- The Sabercats dropped both games in the doubleheader against Lakeland yesterday, losing by scores of 22-2 and 12-3.

Despite the negative outcomes, the Sabercats competed in the second game, down by only a run in the fifth, as Sam Ratledge held the Muskies' tough offense to just three runs over the first four innings.

OVERVIEW

• Game One: Maranatha 2-22 Lakeland
• Game Two: Maranatha 3-12 Lakeland
• Venue: Muskie Baseball Field, Lakeland University
• Location: Plymouth, Wis.
• Attendance: 42
• Records: MBU (0-11), LU (13-8) 

STORY 

The wind immediately began influencing the game early as Lakeland hit two balls to left field in the bottom of the first that were caught because the wind kept them in the air. Kyle Cummins retired the first three batters he faced, including Lakeland's three-hitter Tyler Lamack who is hitting .394 this season. The Muskies were able to break out of that slump in the second, however, tagging Maranatha pitching for 18 runs over the course of the second and third. They hit the ball well and peppered the middle of the diamond, punching everything through the middle or into a gap in the outfield.

The Sabercats finally broke out in the top fo the fourth, when Tim Nickels crushed a triple to the center field wall then scored on a sacrifice fly hit by Jonah Bailey. Later in the inning, David Cripps ripped a bases-loaded single to drive in a second run.

In the bottom of the inning, Daniel Piranian made his collegiate pitching debut and immediately put up a scoreless inning in which he struck out the side. The freshman ended his day with 3.0 IP and seven strikeouts, giving up just four runs. Piranian fortified the bullpen in the final day of games before a short four-day break.

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The second game was such a different game from the first. The Sabercats scored when Cripps scored on a throwing error by the shortstop, but the Muskies tied it in the bottom of the inning on a fielder's choice. Cripss then ended both the first and second innings by throwing out base stealers. Meanwhile, Sam Ratledge was absolutely dealing, shutting down lakeland's offense to the tune of just three runs over the first four innings.

Entering the top of the fifth, Maranatha was down by a score of 3-1 when Michael Cripps scored on another throwing error by the shortstop, who threw the ball away on the second half of a double play ball, allowing Michael to score and Cummins to advance to second. Lakeland finally started hitting the ball in the bottom half of the inning, however, scoring seven runs to pull away.

Maranatha added a run in the seventh after Luke Hochema singled for the second gameday in a row, then scored on a fielder's choice later in the inning. But it was not enough offense to erase the Muskies' lead and Maranatha fell 12-3 in the final game of the week.

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Maranatha Lineup (Game One) - 7- D. Cripps (C), 19- T. Smith (SS), 8- Cummins (P), 23- Nickels (1B), 4- J. Bailey (3B), 9- M. Bailey (CF), 15- J. Piranian (LF), 3- Croswell (2B), 10- M. Cripps (RF)

Maranatha Lineup (Game Two) - 7- D. Cripps (C), 19- T. Smith (SS), 8- Cummins (1B), 6- Ratledge (P), 4- J. Bailey (3B), 9- M. Bailey (CF), 15- J. Piranian (LF), 3- Croswell (2B), 10- M. Cripps (RF)

STATS

• Box Score Game One (Link)
• Box Score Game Two (Link)

OPPONENTS

• Lakeland competes in the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Lakeland is on pace to finish with a better record than their 2021 schedule, in which they finished 14-20
• On Monday, Lakeland held a 6-3 lead in the eighth against Aurora before ultimately losing by just one run to the top-ranked team in the NACC

NEXT

The Sabercats will host Wisconsin Lutheran in their first home game of the season on Tuesday at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Details at mbusabercats.com.