LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team split its first two games at the Warner University Invitational, defeating Thomas University (Ga.) 4-1 and falling to Bellevue University (Neb.) 7-1.

THE BASICS

SCORES: Spring Arbor 4, Thomas 1

Spring Arbor 1, Bellevue 7

LOCATION: Royals Field | Lake Wales, Fla.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 7-8, Thomas 11-13, Bellevue 5-9

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor started the Warner Invitational out strong behind a dominant effort on the mound from Sam Memmelaar. Memmelaar went all seven innings for his second complete game this season allowing one run on four hits.
• In the bottom of the third inning, the score was tied 1-1 until freshman Vincent Herschberger delivered the big hit to put the Cougars in front for good. With the bases loaded, Herschberger ripped a two-out, bases clearing double into right-centerfield to bring home Chris Triplett, Francisco Ondina and Emilio Perez.
• Memmelaar surrendered only one hit over the final four frames. The left-hander finished with six strikeouts as he improved to 3-1 on the season.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS

• Bellevue had the bats going early, scoring six runs in the first three innings. The Bruins struck for four runs in the first, with three coming off a three-run home run, before adding two more in the third.
• Spring Arbor got a run back in the fourth inning on an RBI groundout by Danilo Leon, but that would be all the offense the Cougars could generate.
• After going 2-for-2 in game one against Thomas, Herschberger collected two more hits in game two, finishing the doubleheader 4-for-5 at the plate. Triplett, Ondina, Perez, Evan Lorey and James Hall also recorded hits.
• Duncan Patterson pitched all six innings in the loss giving up seven runs while striking out six batters.

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor returns for day two of the Warner Invitational on Friday, Mar. 9. The Cougars will face Siena Heights University (5-14) at 12:30 p.m. before meeting host Warner (13-8) at 7:30 p.m.

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