MILWAUKEE, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – A whirlwind day that started with the Marian University baseball team forfeiting two home games due to unplayable conditions at Herr-Baker Field ended with a dramatic doubleheader sweep over Wisconsin Lutheran College at Neumann Family Field, this evening, March 31.
The Sabres (7-5, 2-0 NACC) won the first game by mercy-rule, 13-0. They totaled 12 hits coupled with a stellar pitching performance by senior Sam Forkert, who tossed a complete-game, four-hit shutout in the conference opener. The Warriors (7-6, 2-2 NACC) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in game two, but the Sabres chipped away in the later innings before finally getting a two-run walk-off single from senior Chad Langley to cap a three-run ninth to finish off WLC.
Langley went 5-for-9 on the day with five RBIs to lead all Marian hitters. Not to go unnoticed was the gutsy effort on the mound by senior Brandon Winfield, who fought through a four-run fifth to go the distance and record the victory.
In game one, the Sabres jumped ahead early with a bases-clearing double by Adam Ryan highlighting a five-run first inning. Marian added two more in the second to take a commanding 7-0 lead and that was all that left-hander Sam Forkert needed as he moved to 2-0 on the season with a complete-game, four-hit shutout over the Warriors.
Forkert, known for his power left arm, only had two strikeouts. The Sister Bay native got the Warriors to hit into eight fly outs and eight groundouts, while working around three walks and in under 100 pitches to secure the win.
The Sabres took advantage of WLC starter Joey Hodkiewicz some more in the fifth inning by scoring five more times. Gellinger tallied the second bases-clearing double of the game for the Sabres to highlight the rally. Four Sabres recorded multiple hits and the defense turned three double plays in the win.
In game two, an unearned run scored by catcher Jake Klemme gave the Warriors a 1-0 advantage in the third inning. WLC would tack on four more as part of a four-hit fifth inning that sent eight hitters to the plate. With two outs, it looked as though Winfield was going to get out of the frame unscathed, but then back-to-back two-run singles by Brett Youngbeck and Brandon Mantz made it 5-0.
Seemingly insurmountable at the time, the team that scored 13 runs in game one quickly reminded everyone how quickly the Marian offense could strike and it tallied two runs in the bottom of the fifth after sophomore Cole Miklavcic sprinted home on a wild pitch and Langley doubled home junior Jordan DeBoer to but the Warrior lead to 5-2.
Still trailing by three in the eighth inning, Ryan double to left to drive in junior Tony Grannis from first, but was thrown out at third base trying to stretch it into a triple.
Winfield fired scoreless frames in the final four innings to set up the comeback, which culminated in a remarkable ninth inning rally.
Eagan started things off with a single to right center, followed by three walks, including one to DeBoer that allowed Eagan to score. The next batter, Langley, then took an 0-1 pitch and blasted it off the shortstop, who had little time to react. While the Racine native rounded first base, Miklavcic and Gellinger came around to score the game-tying and winning runs and victory mob ensued around Langley near the mound.
Ryan went 4-for-4 in the win, while Miklavcic, DeBoer and Langley each recorded two hits apiece.
The Sabres will turn right around to face Aurora University (4-11, 0-0 NACC) in a doubleheader tomorrow. With the Spartans' home field unplayable due to the spring thaw, the teams will meet at Carthage College in Kenosha. First pitch is set for noon.
