LEAD 

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats might have lost the two games to Northland College today (0-7, 3-7), but that didn't stop Joe Anderson from setting a program record.

In game one, the sophomore struck out 17 batters to set a new Maranatha Baseball program record for single-game strikeouts. Teddy Haugen and Cameron Curcuro both hit home runs in game two as the Sabercats fell short in a productive home opener for the 2024 season.

OVERVIEW

• Result:
  • Game One: Maranatha 0-7 Northland
  • Game Two: Maranatha 3-7 Northland
• Venue: Washington Park
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Event: Home Opener
• Attendance: 41
• Records: MBU (0-21), NC (4-14) 

STORY

Game One: Anderson got right to work in the opener, keeping the Lumberjacks to just two runs scored through the first six innings to match the Sabercats' best defensive showing of the season so far. 
On the offensive end, the Sabercats left the bases loaded in the second frame and left two stranded in the third - the chances were there, but they weren't taken. 

All told, 17 of the Lumberjacks' 21 outs came from strikeouts, as Anderson got 10 batters swinging and seven looking in the pitching performance of a lifetime.

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

Game Two: The Sabercats got started right away in the first inning. After Northland put one run on the board, Teddy Haugen followed Tim Nickels' single with a two-run shot that whizzed past the left-field fence on the first pitch of the at-bat. It was the third time in the last five games that Haugen had gone yard.

Northland's big move came with five runs in the top of the third, which was a lead the Sabercats couldn't combat for the rest of the day. Curcuro cut the lead with a solo home run in the fifth - the first of Curcuro's career. The freshman waited for his pitch and launched it to left field for the Sabercats' second home run of the game.

The second game was cleaner for the Sabercats, who left only four runners on base compared to the eight from game one.

On Northland's side, Vinny Troccoli was the difference-maker, notching three RBIs for the Lumberjacks to complete the series sweep. 

Game 2 Lineup: 9- Anderson C, 5- Nickels 1B, 17- Martin 3B, 18- Haugen SS, 15- Piranian CF, 13- Curcuro 2B, 2- Kenny P, 22- Hangen RF, 8- Arterberry LF

SOUND BITE
"[Joe's performance was] not surprising one bit," said Interim Head Coach Tim Mielke after the game. "He's a hard worker in practice - always right there competing - and he's one of our top guys. Good fundamentals, knows his stuff. .  . knows where to pitch and when to pitch. He really knows how to get guys out and learns their weaknesses are and how to exploit them. He's a good student of the game, and 17 strikeouts [isn't too surprising] - he's a guy that can easily get 10 strikeouts or more per game."

STATS

• Last Time: Maranatha fell 5-7 & 0-3 in a double-header against Northland on April 3, 2023
• Series: Northland currently leads the all-time series against Maranatha 4-0

OPPONENTS

• Northland competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA - Dlll)
• Northland finished the 2023 season with a record of 3-21

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin for a double-header against Wisconsin Lutheran on Thursday, April 11 at 3 p.m./6 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.