LEAD

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Maranatha had their best hitting games of the season, earning their first RBI's of the year and recording a combined nine hits. But their defensive struggled to make routine plays, resulting in the double-header loss to North Central.

Ashleigh Mullikin led the Sabercats at the plate on the day with two hits and two RBI's. Kaili Swaffer recorded Maranatha's other two RBI's with a triple in the first game. 

OVERVIEW

• Results Game One: Maranatha 3-11 North Central
• Results Game Two: Maranatha 1-14 North Central
• Venue: West Saint Paul Dome - St. Paul, Minn. 
• Attendance: 32
• Records: MBU (0-10), NCU (3-16)

STORY 

Game 1

Early defensive errors from Maranatha put North Central on top 7-0 by the end of the second inning. But a strong third inning in the field for the Sabercats kept the Rams from getting on base with a three-up three-down scenario.

The top of the forth was when the Sabercats finally gained some momentum at the plate. A ground out from Lindsay Mikkelson moved Grace Strauch and Bethany Searle, who were already on base, into scoring position. 

With two outs and two waiting on base, Kaili Swaffer stepped up to the plate a crushed a ball deep to right field earning her the team's first RBI's of the season. A single from Ashleigh Mullikin followed Swaffer's triple, bringing her home and setting the score at 3-7.

But the Rams answered back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth, creating a seven point deficit for the Sabercats once again.

A double from Grace Strauch at the top of the fifth put her in scoring position once again, but unfortunately this time she was left stranded on base. Maranatha was sent back to the field with hopes of extending the game. But needing only one run to put things away, the Rams quickly went to work and got their winning run to third base. A double from Delaney Riddle brought the run home to finish the game in walk-off fashion 11-3 (NCU).

Game 2
The second game got off to a bit of a rocky start for Maranatha as the three of four batters went out swinging. In the pitcher's circle Maranatha struggled to hit the zone, resulting in six runs for the Rams off of just two hits. 

Leading off for the Sabercats at the top of the second, Bethany Searle earned a single with a ball hit to right field. Searle was later brought home by Ashleigh Mullikin with a single to center field, putting Maranatha on the board 1-6. 

But that solo run was all the Sabercats were able to produce in the game, finishing the day with 1-14 loss. 

Despite the sweeping loss, Maranatha finished with their best batting day of the season, finishing with a combined nine runs and four RBI's. 

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

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

STATS

• A. Mullikin: 2 RBI's, 2 H
• K. Swaffer: 2 RBI's, 3B, 1 R
• B. Searle: 2 H, 2 R
• G. Strauch: 2B, 1 R
• Last Time: North Central defeated Maranatha 10-4 and 10-7 on March 16, 2023.
• Series: North Central now leads Maranatha 32-17 in the series.

OPPONENTS

• North Central competes in the Upper Midwest Athletics Conference (NCAA-DIII)
• North Central also competes in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (Dll - North Region)
• North Central finished the 2023 season with a record of 2-27

NEXT

The Sabercats return to Watertown, Wisconsin for their home opener against Rockford University on Tuesday, April 2 at 3 p.m./5 p.m. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.