Postgame Interview

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – Behind strong starting pitching and some standout offensive performances, the Marian University baseball team swept visiting Rockford College in Northern Athletics Conference action, 7-0 and 7-6, in the home opener at Herr-Baker Field, this afternoon, April 7.

Bryce Taylor improved to 4-0 with his stellar eight-inning performance in game one, while Brandon Winfield had to settle for the no-decision despite going 8.1 innings and not allowing an earned run. Adam Ryan tallied four hits on the day, including the game-winning hit in game two. Garrett Dorn also had a great day at the plate with a team-leading six hits.

Marian improved to 9-5 overall, 3-1 in the NAC, while Rockford fell to 6-14 (4-4 NAC).

In game one, the sophomore Taylor turned in his best performance as a Sabre, going eight innings and recording a career-high 11 strikeouts in the 7-0 win. He scattered just six hits.

The Sabres jumped out early with a run-scoring single by Matt Bromley in the second inning. Leading 2-0 heading into the fifth, Marian put up a five-spot with Ryan capping the scoring with a two-run, two-out double to right field.

Taylor cruised from there before eventually giving way to Jeff Thomas, who threw a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.

In game two, neither team was able to push a run across until the Sabres tacked on two in the bottom of the sixth. Marian took advantage of a costly error that led to both runs being unearned.

A clean defensive game prior to those Regent miscues, it seemed to create a domino effect throughout the rest of the game.

In the top of the seventh, two Sabre miscues led to three Regent runs, giving them a momentum-swinging, 3-2, lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Marian answered the bell with a game-tying run on another Ryan double, one of his three two-baggers on the day.

With the momentum back on Marian's side, it was Rockford's turn to take it back in the top of the ninth. The Regents took advantage of two more Sabre errors, leading to three more runs to make it 6-3, Rockford.

Down to their last at-bat, the Sabres showed the same resilience they have all season with a little help from the Rockford defense.

The Regents committed three ninth-inning errors and the Sabres took full advantage. Right off the bat, Chase Eagan reached on an error by the second baseman. Two batters later, Ryan Seifert and Dorn both singled, loading the bases with one out.

A Chad Langley sacrifice fly cut the deficit to 6-4 before Will Martin surprised everyone with a bunt to the left side. It surprised the pitcher so much that he bobbled it and the bases reloaded.

The next batter, Ryan, then blooped a single over the head of the third baseman and two runs came in to score, tying the game. As the pinch-runner, Ryan Fisher, was rounding third, the left fielder fielded the ball and air-mailed it over the catcher's head at home. Without hesitation, Martin broke for home and scored the winning run without a play at the plate.

It was the unlikeliest of scenarios, but the Sabres found a way and they finish the weekend 3-1 against a pair of teams that qualified for the NAC Tournament just a year ago.

Marian will take Monday off before turning around and playing host to Wisconsin Lutheran College in another conference doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday, April 9. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.