LEAD

PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. -- Maranatha worked through their first game jitters as they started the season out with a double-header against Trinity Christian, who was already well into their season. A couple rough stretches in the early innings decided the games which finished after five-innings with Trinity on top 16-0 and 15-0. 

Kaili Swaffer, Lindsay Mikkelson, and Ashleigh Mullikin were the only players to record a hit throughout the day for the Sabercats, each with one in the first game. 

OVERVIEW

• Results Game One: Maranatha 0-16 Trinity Christian (5-innings)
• Results Game Two: Maranatha 0-15 Trinity Christian (5-innings)
• Venue: Schaaf Athletic Complex - Palos Heights, Illinois
• Event: Season Opener
• Records: MBU (0-2), TCC (9-15)

STORY

For the first time this season, Maranatha stepped out onto the field to face a new opponent, Trintiy Christian College. The Sabercats knew going into the game that it would be a tough match-up, facing an NCCAA DI school that already had over 20 games under their belt. 

The first-game jitters were seen early as Maranatha struggled to field the ball over the first two innings, setting up a 14-0 lead for the Trolls. But the Sabercats started to get the hang of things late in the game, only giving up two runs throughout the remaining two innings. 

Kaili Swaffer, Lindsay Mikkelson, and Ashleigh Mullikin all connected at bat, giving their team three hits on the game. But while the Sabercats found themselves in scoring position a couple-times, they were unable to get the runs home, ending the game 0-16. 

The second game saw a better start for the Maranatha defense as they quickly put away the trolls to go into the top of the second still 0-0. But Maranatha struggled to find any rhythm at bat as the Trolls continued to swap their pitchers outs and change things up. The Sabercats went through the game without a single hit, resulting in another Trinity victory (15-0). 

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Maranatha Lineup Game 1 - Melville (C), Searle (P), Strauch (SS), Malmanger (2B), Nerat (3B), McIntyre (1B), Mikkelson (LF), Swaffer (CF), Gaul (RF)

Maranatha Lineup Game 2 - Melville (C), McIntyre (P), Strauch (SS), Malmanger (2B), Nerat (3B), Searle (1B), Mikkelson (LF), Swaffer (CF), Gaul (RF)

STATS (Box Score Coming Soon)

• Last Time: This is the first meeting between the two teams.
• Series: Trinity now leads 2-0 in the series against Maranatha

OPPONENTS

• Trinity Christian competes in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (NAIA)
• Trinity Christian also competes in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association Dl North Central Region
• Trinity Christian finished the 2023 season with a record of 25-20
• Trinity Christian fell 0-5 to Concordia in the 2023 NCCAA World Series National Championship Game 

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Hannibal, Missouri to face Hannibal LaGrange University in a double-header, tomorrow starting at 2 P.M. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.