LEAD

KENTWOOD, Mich. -- Despite going 0-2 in the opening day of the two-day series at Grace, Maranatha was able to extend past five-innings for the first time this season going through a full seven-inning game. 

Racquelle Melville recorded her first triple of the season, earning the Sabercats only RBI of the day. 

OVERVIEW

• Results
  • Game One: Maranatha 1-11 Grace Christian (5-innings)
  • Game Two: Maranatha 1-7 Grace Christian (7-innings)
• Venue: Kellogg Woods Park
• Attendance: 
• Records: MBU (0-12), GCU (4-12)

STORY 

Game 1

For the first time all season, Maranatha jumped out to an early lead in the first inning after Racquelle Melville brought Grace Strauch home with a triple to left field. 

Things continued to look bright as the Sabercats quickly put out the Tigers first two batters. But an unfortunate error, that would have resulted in a third out, instead led to Grace getting three unearned runs before the end of the inning. 

Maranatha made their way back on base at the top of the second, getting multiple players in scoring position. But they couldn't hit the ball in the right gaps and the Tigers were able to clean up the inning without a single Sabercat making it home. 

Maranatha continued to struggle to finish routine plays on defense in the bottom of the second giving up five more runs before ending the inning. 

After cleaning up their defense in the innings to follow, allowing only three more runs over the next two innings, Maranatha failed to extend the game past five-innings by failing to pick things up at the bat, falling 1-11.

Game 2

The second game was one of the best overall for the Sabercats this season. While they didn't get the win, they were able to play through the full seven-innings for the first time this season.

After a unsuccessful first inning at bat for Maranatha, Grace was able to put some point on the board early with some well-placed hits. They grabbed a 3-0 lead before Maranatha was able to close out the first inning. 

After getting walked to start out the second inning, Bethany Searle stole her way around the bases, earning the Sabercats their only run of the game. 

The Tigers were able to add two more to their total in their second at bat, after a pickle situation brought the ball away from home plate. While two runs scored, the scenario wasn't a total loss as the Sabercats were still able to get an out with a throw down from home plate to second base. 

The Sabercats were able to keep their opponents at bay over the next two innings, making clean defensive plays to keep the Tigers from finding their way home. But while Maranatha's defensive was able to keep things close, extending the game to seven innings, they just weren't able to produce what was needed at-bat, eventually falling 1-7.

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

STATS

• Box Score: Unofficial 
• Last Time: This is the first match between Maranatha and Grace Christian
• Series: Grace now leads 2-0 in the series against Maranatha

OPPONENTS

• Grace Christian competes in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (Dll - Midwest Region)
• This is Grace Christian's first season as a program

NEXT

The stay in Kentwood, Michigan for another double-header against Grace Christian starting at 12 p.m. EST. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.