THE LEAD

ROSEVILLE, Minn. -- The Sabercats started well but lost momentum throughout the day today, falling to North Central 5-13 and 3-19 in five innings to conclude the weekend.

North Central wins the series 4-0 for this weekend, and the Sabercats will face the Rams at home on April 7 for a shot at revenge.

THE OVERVIEW

• Results: Maranatha 5-13 North Central (5 Innings), Maranatha 3-19 North Central (5 Innings)
• Venue: University of Northwestern
• Location: Roseville, Minn.
• Records: MBU (0-4), NCU (5-8)

THE STORY

Maranatha started off with two runs in their first at-bat of the day, holding a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the second, but North Central exploded in the bottom of the second for five runs off a home run and a double. The Sabercats kept fighting, though, chipping away at a 2-8 deficit in the fifth thanks to an RBI and a run from Laura Brown. Brown highlighted a three-run inning for Maranatha, who finished four and a half innings in the position to tie the game with one swing of the bat.

But North Central had other ideas. The Rams scored a decisive five runs off five hits in the bottom of the fifth, walking it off with a run-rule win of 13-5 in the five-inning contest.

Game two was a different story, unfortunately, for Maranatha. The bottom of the first inning seemed to never end, as North Central scored 12 runs in their opening at-bat - all with two outs on the board.

After NCU followed that up with another four runs in the second, the killer blow had already been dealt. Maranatha did score three runs thanks to a two-RBI double from Dani Chaney, but that was all the offense the Sabercats could produce in the final game of the weekend.

THE SOUND BITE

"Again, we started off really well and had the lead in the first inning," said Coach Rob Thompson after the games. "We continued to play well and saw good things on the field, but we struggled [defensively]. Game two got a little out of control in the first inning, but again we bounced back and put some runs on the board. We continue to learn more about the games and about each other, and we look forward to getting back on the field after break."

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Maranatha Lineup Game 1 - Bullock (2B), Massey (LF), Chaney (SS), Brown (CF), Lawver (1B), Bailey (C), Bates (3B), D'Oyley (RF), Searle (P)

Maranatha Lineup Game 2 - Bullock (2B), Massey (LF), Chaney (C), Brown (SS), Lawver (1B), Bailey (P), Bates (3B), Herrera (DH), Searle (CF),  D'Oyley (RF)

THE OPPONENTS

• North Central competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• North Central also competes with Maranatha in the NCCAA DII North Region
• North Central started their 2022 season almost three weeks earlier than they were able to start their 2021 season

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats enjoy some time to rest during Spring Break. Their next game is April 1 when they face Blackburn on the road at 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/composite.