THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats didn't close out the season the way they wanted to, but they fought to the finish in a doubleheader loss to Mount Mary University.

Taylor Thome recorded 2 RBI and Dani Chaney had 2 hits in the second game of the day, as the Sabercats closed out the 2021 season with a 3-13 record.

THE OVERVIEW

• Results: Maranatha 3-14 Mount Mary (5 Innings), Maranatha 0-12 Mount Mary (5 Innings)
• Venue: Brandt-Quirk Park
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Event: Parents' Day
• Attendance: 49
• Records: MBU (3-13), MMU (5-20)

THE STORY

Maranatha started strong in the first game, scoring all 3 of their runs in the first 2 innings. Taylor Thome and Liberty Bailey both recorded RBI singles and Maranatha kept things close until Mount Mary scored a crippling 6 runs at the top of the fifth inning. Sam Allen and Aislinn Strusz were the key players for the Blue Angels in the opener, as they both recorded 2 hits and 3 RBI. 

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Mount Mary's pitching turned out to be one of the main stories of the day, as Briana Lupa went the distance and held Maranatha scoreless in the second game. Mount Mary carded a run in each of the five frames, which amounted to a dozen all told. Dani Chaney registered 2 hits - one double - for Maranatha.

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Maranatha Lineup Game 1 - Bullock (2B), Hecker (CF), Thome (SS), Chaney (C), Yancey (P), Bailey (1B), Warner (DP), Nerat (3B), Sponable (LF), Thompson (RF)

Maranatha Lineup Game 2 - Bullock (2B), Hecker (RF), Thome (SS), Chaney (C), Yancey (CF), Lawver (1B), Bailey (P), Nerat (3B), Sponable (LF)

THE SOUND BITE

"Our focus today was on our return to the field and our accomplishments for 2021," said Athletic Director and Head Coach, Rob Thompson. "232 days ago we started fall ball, and 82 days ago, the rest of the team joined for our return to the field in 2021. I was proud of the girls - we fought hard. And I was proud that Mount Mary had to bring in their ace pitcher in the second game to shut us down. I'm certainly thankful for this group of girls and for their effort this season. They've been a pleasure and a joy to coach, and I look forward to every day at practice and at games. We are building for 2022 with a good group of freshmen coming to the program, and we're thankful for the opportunities we've had. 

"It was sad to see Erin [Yancey], Ashley [Nerat], Sponnie [Alexis Sponable], and Taylor [Thome] play in their last games today. It was great to see a good number of parents at today's game, coming from as far away as from Virginia and Texas. We are so thankful for the group of girls that the Lord has assembled, and we're excited to see what the Lord does in their lives moving forward."

THE STATS

• Box Score Game 1
• Box Score Game 2

THE OPPONENTS

• Mount Mary competes in the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference
• Mount Mary finished the abbreviated 2020 season with a 4-10 record
• Mount Mary is slated to host the Coast to Coast Championships in Waukesha, Wisconsin in May

THE OUTLOOK

A full recap of the season will be forthcoming at mbusabercats.com.