LEAD

ELSAH, Ill. -- Maranatha took strides in the right direction in their double-header against Principia.

In their first game of the day the Sabercats fell 2-7 after seven innings and later battled it out to extra innings for the first time this season, before falling 2-3 (eight-innings). 

Joe Anderson and Judson Martin were the two Sabercats to take to the mound on the day, pitching the entirety of their games and striking out 11 and 12 batters respectively. 

Joe Anderson and Tim Nickels both scored one of Maranatha's two runs in each game. 

OVERVIEW

• Result:
  • Game 1: Maranatha 2-7 Principia
  • Game 2: Maranatha 2-3 Principia (8-innings)
• Venue: Cheatham Stadium
• Location: Elsah, Ill.
• Attendance: 40
• Records: MBU (0-5), PC (3-5)

STORY

After a five-inning loss to Principia the day prior, Maranatha took massive strides in the right direction. 

Joe Anderson started the day off strong, striking out the first two Principia batters. Anderson went on to pitch all seven-innings, recording a career-high of 11 strikeouts. 

The Panthers Gavin Matchell got things going for his team at the bottom of the second, putting the first fun on the board. 

The third inning was one for the Sabercats. Tim Nickels tied things up with a double RBI, followed by another double from Judson Martin which brought Nickels home for a 2-1 lead. 

But Principia answered back with a single run at the bottom of the third to tie things up, before taking back to the field. 

The Panthers defensive took care of business in the fourth, forcing Maranatha to go three and out at the plate. Principia then answered back with a single RBI from Dean Wood and a two RBI homerun from Ben Perrine to give them the 6-2 lead. 

Principia went on to finish game one with a 7-2 victory. 

The second game was the one that got away for the Sabercats. Principia's Nick Dolci started the first inning by walking both Anderson and Nickels. The two were later brought home by Teddy Haugen and Cameron Curcuro, giving Maranatha an early 2-0 lead. 

With a Panther in scoring position at the bottom of the third, Judson Martin protected home-plate from the mound throwing three strikeouts to send Maranatha back to the dugout. Martin pitched all eight-inning of game two and finsihed with a career-high 12 strikeouts. 

The two teams continued to take care of business defensively, finishing four innings without a single score. It wasn't until the bottom of the sixth that the Panthers finally got on the board after lead off Ryan D'Amico hit a solo homerun. 

At the bottom of the seventh, things were looking favorable for the Sabercats who held onto a 2-1 lead with just one out to go. But a clutch hit from Principia's Ben Perrine sent a runner home, sending Maranatha into their first extra-inning scenario of the season. 

The Sabercats were unable to get the job down at the plate at the top of the eighth, leaving a window of opportunity open for Principia to finish the game. With runners at first and second, Gavin Matchell hit a double to send the winning run home for a final score of 3-2 (Principia).

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Game One Lineup: 21- Cook 3B, 17- Martin SS, 5- Nickels 1B, 18- Haugen C, 8- Arterberry RF, 15- Piranian CF, 2- Brayden LF, 9- Anderson P, 13- Cucuro 2B

Game Two Lineup: 21- Cook 3B, 18- Haugen SS, 5- Nickels 1B, 9- Anderson C, 8- Arterberry RF, 15- Piranian CF, 2- Brayden LF, 17- Martin P, 13- Cucuro 2B

STATS

• Last Time: Maranatha fell 3- 24 to Principia yesterday.
• Series: Principia now leads the series 8-0 against Maranatha.

OPPONENTS

• Principia competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA Dlll)
• Principia finished the 2023 season with a record of 3-27

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Eureka, Illinois to face Eureka College in a double-header on Monday starting at 1 P.M. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.