FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – It was an unfortunate end to the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference season as the Marian University baseball team was swept by Rockford University, 8-3 and 7-2, at Herr-Baker Field on Senior Day this afternoon, May 3, and subsequently missed out on an opportunity to compete in the conference tournament next weekend.

The Sabres (17-17, 9-11 NACC) needed at least a split to clinch the final conference tournament berth, but the Regents (20-17, 10-10 NACC) had other plans as their sweep was able to propel them into the final spot of the tournament. Rockford used dominant pitching to stifle the Marian offense as starters Kyle Pisano and Kaleb Rich each went eight strong innings in games one and two, respectively.

The five-run setbacks were the largest margin of defeat for the Sabres since they returned from their Arizona trip more than six weeks ago. Marian came into the day leading the NACC with a team batting average of .334, but could only manage 11 hits combined against Rockford's top-two starters, including just four hits in the nightcap.

In game one, Marian jumped out to a 2-1 lead after two innings, benefitting from a Rockford error to plate two unearned runs in the second. Tyler Oren capped the scoring with an RBI double to right, scoring senior Matt Bromley.

The Regents tied it in the next half inning and took a 4-2 lead in the fourth. Marian starter Tanner Biwer displayed a gutsy performance as he worked in-and-out of trouble, surrendering four runs (2 earned) on six hits in four innings.

Rockford created some separation with back-to-back two-run frames in the seventh and eighth. In the seventh, junior Brett Barger retired the first two men he faced before a big rally ensued. An 8-3 deficit going into the bottom of the eighth proved too much to overcome.

In game two, Rich baffled the Sabres with eight sterling innings of two-hit, shutout baseball. He struck out eight as well, while holding Marian to few scoring chances.

Marian senior Brandon Winfield got the ball with a five-game winning streak and a 4-0 record in conference starts, but was unable to tame the Rockford offense as well as he had initially hoped. The Regents registered 12 hits off Winfield to the tune of seven runs (3 earned). The Ripon native struck out six, while surrendering just one walk.

Meanwhile, the Rockford offense pounded out another 14 hits and took a commanding 7-0 lead before the Sabres put up two runs in a daunting bottom of the ninth inning.

The emotion of Senior Day may have added to the magnitude of what was at stake, but offered a genuine opportunity to recognize Marian's six seniors: Matt Bromley, Sam Forkert, Josh Frank, Chad Langley, Jake Schaffhauser and Brandon Winfield.

The Sabres aren't done yet in 2014 as they are set to host UW-Platteville in a non-conference doubleheader Monday, May 5. Game one is set for 5 p.m. at Herr-Baker Field.