THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- In the second MBU-IIT doubleheader of the season, it was all about Illinois Tech.

IIT took home two lopsided wins from Washington Park, and the Sabercats will now look to their four-game homestand with Lincoln Christian this weekend for the next bright spot to their season. 

THE OVERVIEW

• Results: MBU 3-21 IIT, MBU 1-18 IIT
• Venue: Washington Park
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Records: MBU (1-13), IIT (13-15)

THE STORY

The Sabercats had a decent start in the first game but things quickly fell IIT's way.

After IIT opened with a run in the top of the first, Jonah Bailey hit a grounder to short with two runners in scoring position, bringing home Clint Matheis for the tying run in the bottom half of the first frame.

But just when the game seemed to be a competitive matchup, the Scarlet Hawks caught fire. Seven runs in the top half of the second inning signaled an onslaught of Tech offense, as the Scarlet Hawks posted multiple runs in every at-bat through the top of the sixth.

Maranatha tried to get back in the game in the bottom of the second when Clint Matheis plated two runners with an RBI single through the left side, but the visitors ultimately compiled an unbeatable 21 runs off 20 hits to take a commanding 21-3 win in the first game of the day.

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Unlike the last MBU-IIT series, there wasn't much of a change to the second game storyline.

It started a little slower for Tech this time, but a six-run performance in the top of the fourth (fueled by four MBU errors) made it 11-0 for IIT. Maranatha's only answer came in the bottom of the fifth when Ryan Hempel's sacrifice fly brought home David Hecker, but the Sabercats' slim chances of winning were ultimately erased with a seven-run showing from IIT in the top of the seventh.

All in all, Maranatha had a hard time overcoming the combination of their own errors and the explosive bats of the Scarlet Hawks, who registered 11 extra-base hits on the day.

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MBU Batting Order (Game 1) - Hempel (P), Matheis (LF), Causey (SS), Bailey (C), Paruch (3B), Cummins (1B), Croswell (2B), Smith (RF), Gieger (CF)

MBU Batting Order (Game 2) - Hempel (SS), Matheis (LF), Causey (P), Bailey (C), Paruch (3B), Cummins (1B), Croswell (2B), Smith (RF), Gieger (CF)

THE STATS

(Two-game totals)

• Matheis: 2 hits, 2 RBI
• Shane Paruch: 2 hits
• MBU: 9 errors  
• Tech: 11 extra-base hits

THE OPPONENTS

• IIT (NCAA DIII) competes in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference
• The Scarlet Hawks took a spring break trip to Florida, where they played nine games
• IIT began NACC conference play in late March and hold a 3-5 conference record

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will stay at home this weekend to take on Lincoln Christian University in a four-game homestand. Games begin at 3:00 p.m. Friday. Follow at mbusabercats.com/composite.