Dennis Driscoll

Director of Athletic Communications 

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Marian baseball team scored a combined 26 runs and produced 26 hits and split a Friday doubleheader at Illinois Tech. The Sabres won game two in convincing fashion 17-4 and suffered a 13-9 setback in the opener.

In the nightcap the Sabres' offense got to work early.

After scoring a run in the top of the first inning, the Sabres scored four in the top of second to break the game open. Earl Vorpagel started the inning with a fielder's choice to score a run. Then Adam Ryan, Tony Grannis and TJ McCoy each recorded RBI singles and the Sabres led 5-1.

In the top of the third Vorpagel pushed across two runs with a double and the Sabres seized a 7-1 lead.

Marian added four runs in the fifth and followed that up with a five-run fifth inning.

Vorpagel batted 1-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs. Cody Schaefer went 3-for-3 and added an RBI.

As a team the Sabres drew 11 walks.

Brett Barger (3-0) picked up the win. He tossed four innings and allowed four hits, one run and no walks and struck out one.

In game one the Sabres opened up a 6-1 advantage, however, Tech (13-4) produced a seven-run fourth inning to take a lead it wouldn't surrender.

McCoy batted 2-for-3 and hit his first home run of the season.

Marian (9-13) returns to action Sunday, April 12 against Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference foe Lakeland.