LOVES PARK, Ill. - Marian University baseball (12-14, 8-4 NACC) defeated Rockford 2-1 to open a NACC twin bill but fell to the Regents in the finale 7-2.

The opener of the doubleheader was a pitching duel from start to finish that saw a pair of complete game efforts and a combined seven hits between the two teams.  The Regents and Sabres traded runs in the second inning with freshman Landon Gosch driving in junior Travis Slywka to put the game at 1-1.

Marian then took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth when junior Jake Falish singled to left field to drive in senior Jordan Walker to put the score at 2-1.  This proved to be the final score as sophomore Zachariah Sandoval (3-3) was dominant on the mound earning the complete game win.

Sandoval would only allow two hits and the only run he allowed was unearned.  He also struck out eight Regents and recorded five perfect innings.  Freshman Sean Meyer proved to be the only player on either side to record multiple hits on the offensive side going 2-3.

The Sabres started the second game strong using an RBI from Pappas to plate Walker in the first inning to take the early 1-0 lead but a pair of big innings from Rockford proved to be the difference.  The Regents would plate four runs in the fourth inning and a pair of runs in the fifth inning.

Slywka would drive in Walker with a single in the bottom of the fifth inning but this would be all the Sabres could muster as they were forced to settle with a split.

Sophomore Tim Dziergas had a strong performance out of the bullpen throwing the final 4.2 innings only allowing a pair of runs and scattering six hits.  Offensively, the Sabres would only manage six hits from six different hitters but Walker closed out the game with both runs scored going 1-2 with a pair of walks.

Marian is next scheduled to host Concordia Chicago in their home opener Wednesday, April 25 with first pitch coming at 1 p.m. from Herr-Baker Field.

--FightBlueFight--