Box Score
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University baseball team had it working in every facet as it took down Wesleyan University (Conn.), 8-3, in the final game of its spring trip to the Greater Phoenix area, this afternoon, March 16.
Senior starting pitcher,
Jesse Blum (1-1), went six and a third innings, allowing just a run on five hits, while striking out five and walking one. From the third inning on, Blum retired 12 straight Cardinals en route to his first win of the season. Meanwhile, offensively, the Sabres pounded out a season-high 14 hits, led by freshman
Josh Gruenke's 4-for-5 day at the dish.
Marian improves to 3-5 on the season, while Wesleyan falls to 2-4.
The Sabres jumped out in front early, getting an RBI double by
Matt Schroeder in the fourth inning, scoring Gruenke from first base with two outs. Marian then posted a four-spot in the fifth.
Garrett Dorn double off the wall in left field to lead off the frame, followed by a one out single by
Matt Follen to put runners at first and third for
Kent Lentz. The senior right fielder then lined a single up the middle to score Dorn and make it 2-0.
Ryan Siefert then drew a hit by pitch and
Anthony Porcaro singled to load the bases. A failed pick off attempt by Wesleyan starter, Hill, allowed two runs to score and Gruenke singled next to drive in Porcaro from third to put the Sabres in front 5-0.
Marian wasn't done yet. In the sixth, Follen singled down the right field line to score Schroeder and Lentz lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score
Will Martin, who pinch ran for
John Cetnar, who reached on a pinch-hit single.
With a commanding 7-1 lead, the Sabres were in good shape. But Wesleyan provided a scare in the seventh. After finally breaking through against Blum, the Cardinals drew a bases loaded walk to chase the Marian starter out of the game.
Brandon Winfield came in and proved to be the stopper, getting the first batter he faced to ground into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Cory Martin brought it home in the final two frames to lead Marian to the convincing victory.
Schroeder finished 2-for-3 for the Sabres, while Follen and Lentz each had two hits apiece as well.
The Sabres will host their home opener against Finlandia next Friday, March 23. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. start.
