SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Peyton Harding broke a tie ball game with a two-RBI in the seventh inning to help push Spring Arbor University past Marian University 8-5 in the series opener Friday afternoon.
 
Marian managed to split the doubleheader with a 16-3 win over the Cougars in game two.
 
 
THE BASICS
SCORES: Spring Arbor 8, Marian 5
Spring Arbor 3, Marian 16
LOCATION: Hank Burbridge Field | Spring Arbor, Mich.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 20-19-1 (12-14 CL), Marian 18-20 (10-14 CL)
 
 
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor grabbed an early lead following a first inning RBI single by Harding. The Cougars added to their lead with two runs in the second on a two-RBI double by Brant Mast.
• The two teams traded runs over the next three frames before Marian was finally able to tie the score in the top of the seventh, 5-5.
• In the home half of the seventh, Bryce Richey and Landon Raczkowski were able to reach base to lead off the frame, setting the stage for Harding's heroics. One batter later, Brandon Haynes singled to bring in Carson Bleicher, who entered as a pinch-runner for Harding.
• Harding went 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBI's. Mast, Haynes and Jake Spedoske picked up two hits each.
• Jon Williams allowed three runs over 5.2 innings pitched while striking out six. Cade Kontny earned the win on the mound with 3.1 innings of solid relief.

 
 
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS

• Marian evened the series with its win in game two.
• The Knights held a 5-2 lead in the seventh before plating seven runs to take control.
• Haynes collected two more hits, including a home run, and Raczkowski also finished with two hits and an RBI.

 
 
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor and Marian will finish the four-game set on Saturday, Apr. 16. Game one of the doubleheader is set to start at 1 p.m. from Hank Burbridge Field.