March 17, 2023 / by Taylor Pill

LEAD

ELSAH, Ill. -- The Sabercats started with authority but fell at the end of their season-opening doubleheader, falling to Principia College at Cheatham Stadium.

The Sabercats will continue their spring trip next week with a doubleheader at Alice Lloyd College on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha (2, 5) Principia (14, 16)
• Venue: Cheatham Stadium - Principia College
• Location: Elsah, Ill.
• Attendance: 20
• Records: MBU (0-2), PC (2-6)

STORY

The Sabercats' first chance to swing the bats against live opponent pitchers did not disappoint, as freshman Joe Anderson blasted a triple to bring home Ty Smith. In their very first at-bat, Maranatha already had something to celebrate.

Teddy Haugen blanked the Panthers all the way through four and a half innings, keeping the hosts off the scoreboard while allowing just two hits. But when Principia finally broke through, they were relentless. After scoring four runs in the fifth, Principia plated 10 in the sixth inning alone, all but sealing the deal in game one.

Foster Fredrickson logged his third hit of the game in the sixth and scored off  Ty Smith's double, but that was the only reply Maranatha could manage.

In game two, the Panthers stated their case early, scoring five runs in the first and 10 in the third. The Sabercats' bright spot came in the fourth, as they had a hard time producing anything off the plate against Principia's Salvador Flores. Smith kick-started things once again with a double, and singles from Anderson and Joe Cook fueled a four-run at-bat for the Blue and Gold.

But the terminal damage had been done early, and the final Sabercats run - a sacrifice fly from Michael Cripps - rewarded Tim Nickels for hitting a double earlier in the sixth inning.

All told, Principia held down their home diamond in the doubleheader, taking two high-powered wins for their first wins of the season.

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Maranatha Lineup (Game Two) - 7- D. Cripps C, 19- Smith SS, 9- Anderson 1B, 18- Haugen P, 23- Nickels RF, 17- Ju. Martin 3B, 4- M. Cripps CF, 15- Piranian LF, 2- Fredrickson 2B

Maranatha Lineup (Game Two) - 7- D. Cripps C, 19- Smith SS, 9- Anderson 1B, 17- Ju. Martin P, 18- Haugen DH, 23- Nickels RF, 4- M. Cripps CF, 21- Cook 3B, 2- Fredrickson 2B

STATS

• Box Score Game One
• Box Score Game Two
• Last Time: Maranatha fell twice in a double-header against Principia, last season on March 19, 2022. (4-7 & 3-8)
• Series: Principia leads the all-time series against Maranatha 3-0

OPPONENTS

• Principia competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Principia finished the 2022 season with a record of 2-23
• Principia's best program season was 2018 when they finished 22-15

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Pippa Passes, Kentucky to take on Alice Lloyd on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.