FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – A thrilling game two victory earned a doubleheader split for the Marian University baseball team against Benedictine University in Northern Athletics Conference play at Herr-Baker Field, this afternoon, April 20.

The Sabres scored three runs in the eighth inning of game two to break a 6-6 tie and hung on for a 9-8 victory to conclude the day and a successful "Pink Out" event that raised money and awareness for breast cancer in the Fond du Lac area. The Eagles earned a 7-2 win in game one.

Marian improved to 12-8 overall, 6-4 in the NAC with the split, while Benedictine moved to 20-7 (10-4 NAC).

In game one, the Sabres took an early lead with a run in the second on a Chase Eagan single to right center that scored Chad Langley from second. After Benedictine tied it the next half inning, Marian regained the lead on Langley's sacrifice fly, scoring Ty Gellinger to make it 2-1.

In the top of the fourth, the Eagles then tied the game before taking a 4-2 lead after batting around, but it could have been more. Marian starter, Brett Barger was able to get the three-hole hitter, Kevin Hendricks, to fly out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Barger would last six innings, allowing four runs (3 earned) on seven hits, while striking out three and walking two in the loss.

The Eagles then added another three-run inning in the eighth to put the game out of reach.

Benedictine starter, Kevin Crowley, seemed to get stronger as the game went on and kept the Sabre lineup at bay after the third. He went eight innings, allowing two runs (1 earned) on 11 hits and struck out 10 in the winning effort.

In game two, Benedictine jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third after Marian starter, Sam Forkert, fell into trouble. The Eagles batted around and did all of its damage with two outs as six straight batters reached base. Ryan Mullin provided the big blow with a two-run double to center field, making it 4-0.

The Sabres would get one back in the bottom of the frame, taking advantage of a BU error.

Still trailing 5-1 in the fifth, Marian put together a rally of its own, scoring three times to cut the deficit to one. Adam Ryan, Eagan and Ryan Blise recorded RBI hits to close the gap.

The Sabres tied it the next inning with a Langley RBI single to right center. Both teams traded runs in the seventh to make it 6-6 before Marian took a 9-6 lead with a wild eighth inning.

In that frame, the Sabres loaded the bases with Eagan at the plate. On the first pitch, the second baseman looked to execute a suicide squeeze, but the pitch was outside and skipped away in the dirt. With all three runners on the move, they all reached the next base safely and Mitch Andrus – who came in to pinch run – scored. It proved to be a rare, but successful triple steal.

Eagan eventually walked, reloading the bases and that provoked a Benedictine pitching change. Blise then hit into a fielder's choice and received two RBIs on the play after Langley scored and Martin beat the tag at home, never slowing around third, to put the Sabres up 9-6.

In an eventful ninth inning, Earl Vorpagel, who came on in relief in the seventh, closed it out for the 9-8 victory.

Marian will have a quick turnaround as it travels to River Forest, Ill. to take on Concordia University Chicago Sunday, April 21. First pitch is slated for noon.