(Fond du Lac, WI) – Marian University upset Concordia University-Chicago in game two of their Sunday twinbill to earn a split with the Cougars. Tim Holtz (Oshkosh, WI) came in relief and shut down the potent Cougar offense to earn the victory. Marian moved to 8-18 overall and 4-8 in the Northern Athletics Conference. The Cougars fell to 21-7 overall and 8-4 in the NAC.

In game one, Concordia-Chicago's Brandon Isaac hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning to make it 7-0 in favor of the Cougars. Marian answered in the bottom half of the frame with three of their own. Josh Klismith (Stevens Point, WI) doubled in a pair of runs and Ryan Hiller (Marshfield, WI) singled in a run. The Sabres had a chance for more, but stranded runners on second and third in the inning.

Marian made it 7-4 in the eighth inning as Phil Seis (Antigo, WI) recorded an RBI-groundout.

The Cougars added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth to close out the scoring.

The Cougars out-hit Marian 11-10.

Klismith led the Sabres offense as he was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Hiller and Anthony Porcaro (Burlington, WI) each had a pair of hits.

Jesse Blum (Marion, WI) took the loss for the Sabres, while Matt Kudlik picked up the victory for Concordia-Chicago.

In game two, Marian jumped on the Cougars for two runs in the bottom of the first to grab their first lead of the day. Starter Tyler Goggins (Waupaca, WI) pitched two scoreless innings before having to leave due to injury. After Goggins left, the Cougars scored four runs off Sabre reliever, Matt Schroeder (Howards Grove, WI) to take a 4-2 lead. Holtz entered in the fifth and gave up a run, which made it 5-2.

In Marian's half of the fifth, Holtz hit a RBI-double to make it 5-3. From that point on, it was Holtz's pitching performance that dominated the contest. He shut the Cougar offense down the next three innings, which allowed Marian to come back. The Sabres scored twice in the sixth on two hits and took advantage of a CUC error to tie the game. Marian scored two more times in the seventh on two hits and another Cougar error to take a 7-5 lead.

 After a scoreless eighth inning, the Cougars sent the meat of their order to the plate in the ninth. Facing a first and third situation, Holtz got Cougar star, Brandon Isaac to hit a sacrifice-fly to right, cutting Marian's lead to 7-6. After a walk put runners on first and second with one out, Holtz recorded the second out with a strikeout. He finished the contest by inducing a routine ground ball to Ryan Seifert (Germantown, WI) at shortstop.

Holtz picked up his first victory of the season, scattering six hits and two runs in his five innings.

Holtz was also the leader offensively, as he was 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Jace Unrein (Racine, WI) and Klismith each had a pair of hits.

The Sabres are back in action again on Friday, as they will host Maranatha Baptist. First pitch is scheduled for noon at Herr-Baker Field.