LEAD
WATERTOWN, Wis. -- Maranatha couldn't get on the board during their long awaited home-opener, falling to Clarke 0-8 and 0-17.
But while they didn't earn any runs, they kept their opponents from a no hitter in both games. Grace Strauch led her team at the plate with two hits on the day, one of which was a double out to left field. Ella Malmanger also earned a trip to base with a hit in game one.
OVERVIEW
- Results
- Game One: Maranatha 0-8 Clarke (5-innings)
- Game Two: Maranatha 0-17 Clarke (5-innings)
- Venue: Brandt-Quirk Park
- Attendance: 58
- Records: MBU (0-20), CU (16-18)
STORY
Game 1
The home-opener started off promising for the Sabercats, as they played some solid defense to close out the first two innings, keeping their opponents at zero. At the plate, Maranatha was able to make some solid contact. But they were unable to hit the right gaps, allowing Clarke with some quick out opportunities as well.
The top of the third was the downfall for Maranatha. While the inning started off good for the Sabercats with Bethany Searle striking out the first batter, Clarke was quickly able to load the bases.
Finally able to find the right gaps, the Crusaders brought home seven runs before the inning retired.
Clarke extended their score to 8-0 with a single run in the top of the fourth, putting the pressure on Maranatha to get something going at the plate if they wanted to extend the game past five-innings.
Grace Strauch gave her team the hope they needed, leading of the bottom of the fourth with a hard hit double to left field and later advancing to third on a sacrifice from Bethany Searle. But an unfortunate pop out left Strauch stranded just one base away and Maranatha went on to lose 8-0 after five-innings.
Game 2
The second game saw a completely different start. Clarke found their spark at the plate, outhitting the Sabercats 14-1 in the game. They quickly took a first inning lead 3-0 and extended their score to 7-0 by the end of the second.
A runless third inning from both teams paused the bleeding, but the Crusaders quickly rebounded, earning five more runs in both the fourth and fifth.
The Sabercats were once again unable to find their way home, with Grace Strauch earning the only hit of the game. They fell in game two 17-0.
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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 - Melville (C), McIntyre (P), Strauch (SS), Malmanger (2B), Nerat (1B), Searle (3B), Mikkelson (LF), Swaffer (CF), Gaul (RF)
STATS
- Last Time: This is the first series between Maranatha and Clarke
- Series: Clarke now leads 2-0 in the series against Maranatha
OPPONENTS
- Clarke competes in the Heart of America Conference (NAIA)
- Clarke finished the 2023 season with a record of 13-32
NEXT
The Sabercats travel to Ripon, Wisconsin for a double-header against Ripon College tomorrow at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.
