FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University baseball team was swept at home by Aurora University this afternoon, April 29, by scores of 11-1 and 4-2, to put a wretch in its Northern Athletics Conference tournament hopes. The Sabres still have a chance at a tournament berth if they win their final four conference games.
The Marian bats were silent in game one as freshman
Josh Gruenke collected two of the team's three hits in an 11-1 loss. Game two saw the Spartans break a 1-1 tie with a run in the fifth and two insurance runs in the seventh on the way to a 4-2 win.
Anthony Porcaro notched two hits, but it wasn't enough to overcome the potent offense of Aurora.
The Sabres fell to 15-19 overall, 7-11 in NAC play, while the Spartans improved to 29-8 (16-4 NAC).
In game one, the Sabres fell behind early as Aurora built a 7-0 lead after three innings. Senior
Mitchell Gardner (1-2) lasted just two innings, allowing six runs (5 earned) on six hits. Meanwhile, Aurora's Drew Gay (6-0) went all seven innings, allowing an unearned run on just three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
The Sabres scored their lone run on a sacrifice fly by
Will Martin that scored
Garrett Dorn. Tim Mackey and Mike Foley each recorded three hits apiece for the Spartans, who have already secured a spot in the 2012 NAC tournament, which takes place at Herr-Baker Field in Fond du Lac, May 10-12.
In game two,
Sam Forkert (2-4) gave the Sabres six solid innings on the mound. The sophomore allowed four runs on 11 hits. He was overshadowed by Aurora's Eric Palmer (7-0), who went seven innings and allowed two runs (1 earned) on four hits.
In the seventh inning, after scoring one run to cut the deficit to 4-2, the Sabres put the tying run in scoring position when Gruenke stole second base to put runners at second and third with two outs.
However, Palmer would induce a lazy fly ball to left field by
Garrett Dorn to end the inning and the threat.
Marian will play host to Concordia Wisconsin in the regular season and home finale next Saturday, May 5, at noon. But first, they will take on MSOE in a make-up doubleheader from Saturday's rainout. The day and time for that make-up is still being determined. Check sabreathletics.com for updates.
