RIVER FOREST, Ill. - Marian University baseball (5-11, 0-2 NACC) fell to Concordia Chicago 10-1 and 16-3 to open NACC play.
In the opener, Marian hung tight with Concordia Chicago, but one big inning allowed the Cougars to cruise to the win.
After four scoreless innings, CUC would take advantage of a two-out error by the Sabres to plate five runs, only one of which was earned. The Cougars then added to their lead with three runs in the top of the seventh against the Sabre bullpen before Marian got on the board.
Senior Cole Miklavcic started the bottom of the seventh with a double to left field and sophomore Matt Nordlund would plate Miklavcic with a two-out RBI single to right field.
The Cougars answered in the next half-inning with a pair of runs to set the final at 10-1.
Freshman Zachariah Sandoval (1-1) took the loss only allowing one earned run over 5.0 innings scattering five hits. Sophomore Brandon Knoke closed out the final 1.1 innings only allowing one hit.
Both offenses started strong to open game two as the Cougars jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before the Sabres answered in the bottom half.
Freshman Trey Johnson opened the game for the Marian offense with a single and promptly stole second base. Sophomore Jake Falish then brought in Johnson with a double down the left field line. A couple batters later senior Tommy Dugandzic drove Falish in with a sacrifice fly to give MU a 2-1 lead.
The Cougars rallied for a pair of runs in the third and three more in the fourth to retake the lead
Marian put together a rally in the bottom of the seventh loading the bases with one out but would only manage a free pass from senior Michael Pappas to cut the deficit down to 6-3.
Freshman Tommy Miller would drive in sophomore Travis Slywka with a double in the next inning, but Concordia Chicago was able to break the game open in the top half of the inning to put the final at 16-4.
Pappas would finish 2-2 with an RBI and a pair of walks in the loss,
Marian closes the first weekend of conference play traveling to Rockford Sunday, April 2 for a noon doubleheader.
--FightBlueFight--
