WATERTOWN, Wis. --- The Sabercats were explosive with their hitting as they posted 10-2 and 7-3 wins over the North Central University Rams to open play at Brandt-Quirk Park for the 2017 season. With the wins, the Sabercats are now 4-12 on the season and 4-0 in NCCAA play.

Winning pitchers Brooke Campbell and Harmony Bailey both pitched complete games, and Bailey made the highlight reel by combining with fellow Yooper Hannah May for back-to-back home runs in game two - the first time in recorded history that Maranatha has recorded back-to-back home runs*. May had a night to remember, as she hit for the cycle in the two games combined.

The first game saw runs scored early and often. Katelyn Hockema drove in two runs with a well-placed single through the right side in the second inning as MBU found themselves in front by one run after the opening two innings. (3-2)

Behind precise work from Campbell in the circle, the Sabercats' crucial inning came in the fifth, when they came alive to post five runs. May got things started and went all the way around the bases when she tripled, then advanced home on a North Central miscue. Then in quick succession, Amy Miller, Katie Bender, Maisy Alldredge (two-RBI double), and Tina Kolinski (sacrifice) all recorded RBIs as the Sabercats turned six hits into six runs to grab the momentum. (9-2)

After Campbell calmly retired three straight, May's alert base-running allowed her to score on a wild pitch and end game one with a run-rule win for MBU. (10-2)

May, Bailey, and Allison Epperly all recorded two hits in game one to lead MBU.

In game two, freshman Harmony Bailey had a game to remember, as she registered her first collegiate win and her first collegiate home run. Bailey's effective pitching would ultimately hold North Central to a shutout until the final inning.

The fireworks came in the bottom of the third, as May led off with a solo shot to left field that cleared the fence with room to spare, then Bailey followed May with a carbon-copy homer, landing the ball almost exactly where May had landed hers just one batter prior. The two home runs from the U.P. had put the Sabercats up 2-0, triggering the start of the offensive display in game two. (2-0)

Miller drove in another run in the fifth, then MBU posted four runs in the sixth to take firm control of the game. MBU started the sixth with the top of the order, and the quick pace of Kolinski and Hockema paid immediate dividends, as they both stole second and were in scoring position for a two-RBI May double. (5-0)

After May made NCU pay for a botched catch in left field, Campbell drove in the last MBU run in the inning with a single to right. (7-0)

The resilient Rams would go down swinging, as they pieced together three runs in an attempted comeback. Bailey stood firm in the circle, however, as the rookie went the distance to record her first collegiate win. (7-3)

"I thought the girls played very solidly overall tonight," said head coach Rob Thompson. "Our defense was outstanding tonight, and the 'Yooper power duo' of Hannah May and Harmony Bailey did a fantastic job for us at the plate. We had a great day all around, great energy in the dugout, and [these wins] are exactly what we needed."

The two teams will be back at it tomorrow for a Parents' Day matchup, as they will square off at 12:00 p.m. at Brandt-Quirk Park.

Catch live stats for the game at mbusabercats.com.

*Only documented information was recorded when compiling the official Maranatha Softball statistics. If you find an error or ommission in the records, please contact MBU Athletics with official statistical documentation.