LEAD 

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- More pieces came together for the Sabercats today, but they still couldn't find a way past Grace Christian, falling in the final games of the season series 4-9 and 7-12.

Teddy Haugen was the man at the plate for the Sabercats, logging five RBIs on the day. Tim Nickels and Brayden Kenny both recorded doubles on the day. Royce Frieburger led the way for Grace Christian with four hits and four RBIs.

OVERVIEW

• Result:
  • Game One: Maranatha 4-9 Grace Christian
  • Game Two: Maranatha 7-12 Grace Christian
• Venue: Washington Park
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Event: Parent's Day
• Attendance: -
• Records: MBU (0-29), GCU (16-27) 

STORY
Game one was a defensive battle until the fifth inning, as Matt Hoonhorst and Joe Anderson brought their best stuff to the mound. The turning point came in the sixth inning, when Grace increased their lead from 3-2 to 7-2, capitalizing on a couple of errors from the Sabercats. Maranatha would try to rally in the bottom of the seventh after Grace posted two more runs in the top of the inning, but it wasn't enough.

Anderson ultimately struck out 11 batters for his third double-digit-strikeout performance of the season. At the plate, Anderson led Maranatha with two hits and a run scored.

The second game of the day was more of the offensive one, as the teams combined for 19 runs off 19 hits. Grace did all of their scoring in inning 3-5, and Maranatha tried to make things interesting by answering with seven runs in the following two innings. The loudest moment of the game came from three consecutive RBI hits for Maranatha; singles from Judson Martin and Jonathan Piranian, and a two-bagger from Brayden "the double man" Kenny all brought in runs to make it 12-5. 

Heads-up baserunning allowed Maranatha to score two more runs in the bottom of the seventh, but that was as far as their efforts would take them on the weekend.

All in all, the Sabercats tied the most productive offensive display for one day this season, as the 11 runs are a sign of good things to come as the Sabercats finish their season with two doubleheaders next week.

--

Game 1 Lineup: 9- Anderson P, 13- Curcuro SS, 5- Nickels 1B, 18- Haugen C, 17- Martin SS, 15- Piranian CF, 2- Kenny 2B, 21- Arterberry LF, 22- Hangen RF

Game w Lineup: 9- Anderson C, 13- Curcuro 3B, 5- Nickels 1B, 18- Haugen SS, 17- Martin P, 15- Piranian CF, 2- Kenny 2B, 21- Arterberry LF, 22- Hangen RF

STATS

• Yesterday: 
• Series: Grace currently leads the all-time series against Maranatha 11-0

OPPONENTS

• Grace Christian competes in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (Dll - Midwest Region)
• Grace Christian finished the 2023 season with a record of 8-33

NEXT

The Sabercats stay in Watertown, Wisconsin for a double-header against Principia, Tuesday, April 23rd, at 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.