FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Marian University baseball (9-16, 3-5 NACC) heads into the Easter break after falling to Illinois Tech 3-1 and 5-3 in non-conference action.

The Marian offense would struggle in game one only managing four hits, nine total base runners.  The lone Sabre run of the game would come off a fielder's choice ground out from sophomore Matt Nordlund that plated senior Cole Miklavcic.

IIT would manage to push across a pair of runs in the fifth inning and padded their lead with a run in the ninth to take game one 3-1.

Freshman Drew Nuanes (0-1) took the tough-luck loss scattering five hits and striking out 11 in his 7.0 innings of work only allowing two runs.

The Scarlet Hawks started fast in game two scoring three runs in the first two innings but the Sabre bats came alive in the bottom half of the second to tie the game.

Sophomore Travis Slywka opened the scoring with an RBI single that plated fellow sophomore Jake Falish before an IIT throwing error on a potential double play with the bases loaded scored freshman Nick Bastien and Slywka.

The Scarlet Hawks would retake the lead in the top of the fourth with a pair of runs.  The Sabre looked poised to cut into the lead loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the eighth but a lineout double play and groundout allowed IIT to end the inning unscathed and lead the Scarlet Hawks to the 5-3 win.

The Marian bullpen would close out the final 6.0 innings allowing six hits and no runs led by sophomore Brandon Knoke who fired the final 3.0 innings only allowing one hit and striking out a pair of Scarlet Hawks.

Falish finished the loss going 2-3 with a run scored in the loss, while senior Tyler Thompson and Bastien each went 2-4.

Marian next hits the road to play at MSOE Monday, April 17 for a noon doubleheader in NACC play.

--FightBlueFight--