AVE MARIA, Fla. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team swept a doubleheader from Ave Maria University Saturday, winning 7-4 and 4-3, to earn the series victory over the Gyrenes.

THE BASICS

SCORES: Spring Arbor 7, Ave Maria 4;

Spring Arbor 4, Ave Maria 3

LOCATION: Bowies Ballpark | Ave Maria, Fla.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 3-8, Ave Maria 8-13

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS

• Chris Triplett helped get things going early for Spring Arbor. After reaching on a dropped third strike, he would eventually make his way to third on a stolen base. Two batters later, he would cross the plate on a ground out by Alex Holley. The Cougars added another run on an RBI single by Tyler Reed.
• SAU put the pressure on Ave Maria again in the second inning. Nick Harris scored on a bunt single by Triplett to get the scoring started. Conner Lengerich followed with a single to drive in Triplett, and Lengerich would later cross the plate on a double steal.
• The home team answered immediately, though, with three runs in the bottom of the frame to cut SAU's lead to 5-4.
• Still clinging to a one run lead in the fifth, the Cougars added an important insurance run. Harris delivered a clutch, two-out single to bring home Jack Driscoll.
• After giving up the early runs, pitcher Duncan Patterson settled in and did not allow the Gyrenes to score again, shutting them out over the final five innings to earn the win.
• It was the first complete game of the season for Patterson, who struck out six.
• Triplett and Driscoll each collected two hits and scored two runs to lead Spring Arbor. The Cougars also stole six bases, including three by Lengerich.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS

• Triplett was the spark plug for the Cougars again in game two. He led off the contest with a base hit to left. After stealing third base, he would eventually score to give SAU the early lead.
• In the third inning, Triplett opened the frame with a triple and would score on a dropped third strike to put the Cougars up 2-0.
• Ave Maria was finally able to break through, however, in the home half of the third. The Gyrenes strung together four hits to push three runs across and grab a 3-2 advantage.
• Spring Arbor battled back though, plating two runs in the fifth to regain the lead. James Hall scored on a sacrifice fly by Holley and Triplett touched home on a wild pitch.
• The Gyrenes threatened in the sixth inning, putting the first batters on base, but freshman pitcher Gavin Harris worked his way out of the jam to preserve the lead.
• Harris would then earn his first collegiate save by striking out the side in the bottom of the seventh.
• Triplett picked up two more hits and scored three times.
• Harris and Drew Weston combined to toss 4.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two hits and striking out four.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH RYAN MARKEN

• "Extremely proud of our guys today. We finally ran our system. We forced relentless pressure."
• "Chris Triplett was exceptional, an absolute game changer all day."
• "Credit our guys. I got on them last night and the way they responded makes us proud as a staff. Two hard fought wins today"

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will return to action on Monday against Siena Heights University (6-5) and Webber International University (13-3). The Cougars take on the Saints at 1 p.m. before meeting up with the Warriors at 6 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
DOWNLOAD OUR APPS: iOS (iPhone/iPad) | Android