April 22, 2023 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats came close again today but couldn't find the win, falling 3-14 and 3-5 to Grace Christian at Washington Park on Parents' Day.

The Sabercats stay at home to conclude an eight-game homestand this coming Monday at Tuesday with doubleheaders against Trinity International and Principia.

OVERVIEW

• Result Game One: Maranatha 3-14 Grace Christian
• Result Game Two: Maranatha 3-5 Grace Christian
• Venue: Washington Park
• Location: Watertown, Wisconsin
• Attendance: -
• Records: MBU (1-20), GCU (7-28)

STORY

The Sabercats wasted no time in getting on the board in the first game, as Tim Nickels smashed a three-RBI double to left-center to complete the Sabercats' scoring in the bottom of the first.

�� TIM NICKELS IS MONEY ��

3-RBI double to left center!

�� Maranatha 3
�� Grace 3

��2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/aX6P9QPKwK

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) April 22, 2023

But that was the only piece of scoring that the Sabercats could come up with. Grace plated seven runs in the third inning to roll away to a commanding 14-3 win in the first game of the day and third game of the series.

-

The fourth and final game of the series was a story with no payoff. Maranahta out-hit Grace Christian 11-8, but had a hard time turning their hits into runs. Joe Anderson led the way by going 3-4, notching an RBI single in the bottom of the third, but Grace steadily pulled away to a 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth.

Judson Martin sparked what could have been a rally with a two-RBI single past third base, making it a two-run game going into the seventh.

RBI single from �� Judson Martin scores two in game four!

�� Maranatha 3
�� Grace 5

⬇️6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/lXQeaNLLsB

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) April 22, 2023

But that was as close as the Sabercats would come, as they left the tying run at the plate to finish the series winless, but so close to securing their second win of the season.

--

Maranatha Lineup (Game One) - 7- D. Cripps C, 19- Smith SS, 9- Anderson 1B, 18- Haugen P, 23- Nickels RF, 4- M. Cripps CF, 15- Piranian LF, 17- Ju. Martin 3B, 2- Fredrickson 2B

Maranatha Lineup (Game Two) - 7- D. Cripps C, 19- Smith SS, 9- Anderson P, 18- Haugen 1B, 23- Nickels RF, 4- M. Cripps CF, 15- Piranian LF, 17- Ju. Martin 3B, 2- Fredrickson 2B

STATS

• Box Score (Game One)
• Box Score (Game Two)
• Last Time: Grace Christian swept the doubleheader yesterday, winning 7-6 and 5-12
• Series: Grace Christian leads the overall series over Maranatha 7-0

OPPONENTS

• Grace Christian competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association - Mideast Region (Dll)
• Grace Christian finished the 2022 season with a record of 3-37
• This is Grace Christian's second season with the program

NEXT

The Sabercats stay in Watertown to face Trinity Int'l in a doubleheader on Monday starting at 3 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.