TUCSON, Ariz. - Wesleyan University (Conn.) sent the Marian University baseball team (3-3, 0-0 NACC) back to the .500 mark in Tucson with an 11-1 win on Tuesday afternoon at the Kino Sports Complex.

Wesleyan senior pitcher Ethan Rode (1-0) struck out eight and scattered 6 hits over 8 and a third innings of work to shut down the Sabre offense.

Marian did have their chances early, leaving a pair on against Rode in the 1st and also loading up the bases in the third only to come up empty.

Wesleyan broke up a scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the 5th off of freshman starter Tim Dziergas. The Cardinals added three more in the 6th to push the lead to 5-0

The flood gates opened up in the bottom of the 8th as Wesleyan roughed up the Sabre bullpen for six runs.

Marian's only run game in the top of the 9th when the Sabres loaded the bases and freshman Jake Arens scored on a chopper to shortstop that led to a wild throw to the plate.

The Sabres will continue their run in Tucson with a pair of games on Wednesday. Marian will square off against Salem State at 3:30 p.m. (CDT) and Augsburg at 7 p.m. (CDT).

--FightBlueFight--