WYOMING, Mich. -- After a short-notice trip to Michigan this weekend, the Sabercats fell in a three-game series at Grace Christian, posting 4 runs in the three-game series at Kellogg Woods Park.

This weekend was supposed to be a four-game, home-opening series for the Sabercats, who will look forward to this coming Thursday and their home opening games with Ripon College, set for 3:00 P.M. at Brandt-Quirk Park.

(Stats to come)

OVERVIEW

• Results Game One: Maranatha 0-13 Grace (5 Innings)
• Results Game Two: Maranatha 3-22 Grace (5 Innings)
• Results Game Three: Maranatha 1-10 Grace (5 Innings)
• Venue: Kellogg Woods Park - Kentwood, Michigan
• Attendance: -
• Records: MBU (0-11), GCU (7-14)

STORY

A last minute decision due to weather had the Sabercats boarding a bus for a 5.5 hour trip to Wyoming, Michigan for a three game series. A series in which Maranatha had hoped would be their home-opening weekend.

The long day of travel took a toll on the Sabercats, who seemed to come out cold in the single Friday night game. Tigers pitcher Emma Balkema had her best game of the season, striking out 12 of Maranatha's 16 at-bats. 

While the Sabercats were unable to put up a run in the game, Beka D'Oyley came in clutch for her team in the top of the fifth with a single to right field, preventing the no-hitter for Grace in their 13-0 win.

The Sabercats came into the next day immediately showing improvement at the bat. Bethany Searle led of the day with an immediate single to center field. She quickly put herself into scoring position by stealing second and was later brought home on a single from D'Oyley.

But the 1-0 Maranatha lead was short lived as the Tigers quickly took control by earning five runs off of two hits. 

While the Sabercats continued to show improvement offensively on they day, connecting well at the plate and scoring a combined fours runs over the two game span, defensively they couldn't seem to catch a break. 

The Tigers went on to sweep the series 22-3 & 10-1. The two teams are set to meet again before the seasons close, with another double-header in Michigan later this month. 

STATS

• (Stats: TBA)
• Last Time: Grace swept the 5-game series last year
• Series: Grace now holds a 8-0 series lead over Maranatha

OPPONENTS

• Grace Christian competes in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (Dll - Midwest Region)
• Grace Christian finished the 2024 season with a record of 8-21
• This is Grace Christian's second year as a program

NEXT

The Sabercats plan to travel to Carlinville, Illinois to face Blackburn in a double-header starting at 3 P.M. on Monday. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.