MEQUON, Wis. - Marian University baseball (18-21, 13-7 NACC) dropped their NACC Tournament opener falling to MSOE by a 5-2 final.

The Raiders managed to take the lead in the top half of the first inning but the Sabres were able to bounce back by manufacturing a run in the fourth inning.  Senior Jordan Walker and junior Matt Nordlund opened the inning with back-to-back singles before a sacrifice fly from junior Jake Falish plated Walker to knot the game at 1-1.

A pair of errors in the fifth inning allowed MSOE to plate a pair of unearned runs and retake the lead at 3-1.  The Raiders would then extend their lead in the next inning with a pair of two-out run driving in hits to put the score at 5-1.

The Sabres battled back, however, as they answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth.  Marian would put runners on second and third with one out after a double from senior Michael Pappas and a walk from Falish.  Freshman Sean Meyer then grounded out but was able to bring in Pappas to put the tally at 5-2.

After a pair of quiet innings, the Sabres would threaten in the ninth inning after bringing the tying run to the plate but were unable to complete the rally.

Sophomore Zachariah Sandoval (4-4) took the loss going 7.0 innings only allowing two earned runs and scattering seven hits.  Junior Jordan Bock came out of the bullpen to provide 2.0 innings of perfect work.

Falish led the Sabres going 1-for-2 with a walk, while Walker, Nordlund, and Pappas each recorded a hit in the defeat.

Marian faces elimination when the Sabres take on the loser of the Aurora versus Concordia Chicago game at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, May 11, from Kapco Park.

--FightBlueFight--