March 18, 2023 -- Maranatha Athletics 

LEAD

WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Sabercats opened their 2023 season with straight losses to North Central, showing good signs of things to come with eight runs on the day. 

Malia Bullock led the Sabercats on the day with four hits, two runs, and one RBI. Eryn Bates batted in three RBIs on the day. 

OVERVIEW

• Results: Maranatha 4-10 North Central (7 innings)
• Results: Maranatha 4-7 North Central (7 innings)
• Venue: Regional Athletics Center Dome
• Location: West St. Paul, Minn
• Records: MBU (0-4), NCU (2-4)

STORY

Maranatha took the field for the first time this season, last Thursday. The nerves were high, but so was the excitement. 

The North Central Rams were the first to cross the plate, scoring two runs by the end of the first inning. But the Sabercats were able to keep them at bay in the second, with three quick outs by the infielders. Dani Chaney (C) was able to bring her team to the top of the third by rocketing the ball to second and picking off the attempted steal.

The energy was high after coming out of a good defensive round, and the Sabercats finally were able to get the bats going at the start of the third inning. Eryn Bates hit a triple to left field, bringing in Marri Reid and Malia Bullock to put Sabercats on the board and tie up the game. An error by the Rams later advanced Bates to home giving the Sabercats a 3-2 lead at the end of the inning. 

But the Rams were able to answer back quickly with two more runs in the bottom of the third to give them the edge once more. 

A double to center field from Chaney got things going for Maranatha at the top of the fifth. Ashley Nerat later drove Chaney home with a single to center, tying things back up 4-4. But unfortunately, that is where things began to slip for the Sabercats.

North Central was able to score six unanswered runs in two innings, taking the first game 10-4 (7 innings).

After a short break, the two teams took the field again. This time it looked as if the Rams would pull away early on, scoring four in the first inning. But Maranatha was not willing to go down easy and an RBI from Bethany Searle put the Sabercats on the board. 

Maranatha continued to fight at each at-bat, scoring three more runs by the end of the game. The Sabercats' defense was having a pretty good game all around, with multiple diving stops by Chaney and even a 6-4-3 double play. But the Rams were able to pull through and get the job done, finishing game two with a 7-4 win.

Even in the losses, Coach Thompson was proud of his team. Maranatha showed signs of good things to come by starting the season off with two 7-inning games. Last season the team only made it to the seventh inning one time. 

SOUND BITE

"I was pleased with the girls," said Coach Rob Thompson. "Especially considering that was our first time on the field, seeing the ball in the air, and facing live pitching. We got several multi-base hits and a few great bunt hits. We had several quality defensive plays, including a double play 6-4-3, two red defense outs at home, and several diving plays to get outs. Bethany went the distance in both games and we played both games the full seven innings."

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Maranatha Lineup Game 1 - Chaney (C), Searle (P), Nerat (1B), Bullock (2B), Kilian (SS), Bates (3B), Mikkelson (LF), Reid (CF), Swaffer (RF), Baggett (DH)

Maranatha Lineup Game 2 - Kilian (C), Searle (P), Nerat (1B), Bullock (2B), Chaney (SS), Bates (3B), Mikkelson (LF), Reid (CF), Swaffer (RF), Baggett (DH)

STATS

• Box Score: Game 1
• Box Score: Game 2
• Series: North Central now leads the overall series against Maranatha, 30-19

OPPONENTS

• North Central competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• North Central also competes in the NCCAA DII North Region
• North Central finished the 2022 season with a record of 12-26

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Glendale, Wisconsin to take on Cardinal Stritch on Tuesday, March 28th, at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.