Box Score

MESA, Ariz. (SabreAthletics.com) -- The Marian University baseball scored seven unanswered runs to erase a 4-3 deficit on the way to a 10-7 win over Albright College, moving to 2-0 overall on their spring trip. Junior Jeff Thomas relieved Mitchell Gardner in the fifth inning to earn the win, while Brandon Winfield recorded the save one day after earning his first win.

The Sabres took a 10-4 lead heading into the ninth inning, but the Lions made it interesting. Albright scored three times before loading the bases to bring the potential winning run to the plate. Winfield then got Nate Peiffer, who finished 3-for-6 with two triples, to line out to Ryan Siefert at second to end the game.

Marian improves to 2-0, while Albright falls to 3-7. The Sabres will take on UW-Stout in a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. local time.

After the Lions broke the silence with a second inning run, the Sabres posted a three-spot and needed just one hit to do so. Matt Schroeder reached base on a throwing error, advancing to second on the throw to lead things off. With one out, Ryan Blise drew a walk and Josh Gruenke beat out an infield single to load the bases for Ryan Siefert. The Sabre second baseman drew the first of his three walks and picked up one of his two RBI's on the day to tie the score.

Blise then scored on a wild pitch before Anthony Porcaro made it 3-1 with a sacrifice fly. Porcaro would finish the day 2-for-4 with two RBI's.

Gardner wortked his way out of trouble from the get-go. After allowing a lead-off triple to begin the game, he settled down to retire the next three batters to end the threat. In the second, Albright loaded the bases with two outs, but Gardner minimized the damage by allowing just a run-scoring single to Peiffer. They would add another run in the third and two more in the fourth to take a 4-3 lead.

Marian would respond quickly, however, posting another three-run inning in its half of the fourth. It was capped by a Garrett Dorn sacrifice fly. The trend would continue as the Sabres went on to tally seven unanswered runs by taking a 9-4 lead on another three-run inning in the eighth.

Meanwhile, Thomas' effort on the mound was nothing short of impressive. In his season debut, the Green Bay native pitched to contact to get through the first two innings needing just 12 pitches. In fact, he needed less than 20 pitches to get through three innings of work. He went on to throw a fourth shutout inning to earn the win for the Sabres, allowing just four hits while striking out a batter.

The Lions made it interesting in the end, but Siefert's leaping catch with the bases loaded sealed the deal  for the Sabres and the save for Winfield.

Marian will take on UW-Stout in a doubleheader and its first two games of a week-long spring trip outing. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. Live stats will be provided. They can be accessed by clicking here.