SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team split a doubleheader against receiving votes Marian University on Friday at Hank Burbridge Field, earning a 5-0 shutout victory in game one before falling 2-1 in a tightly contested nightcap.
 
Spring Arbor's pitching staff set the tone early, silencing one of the top run-producing offenses in the Crossroads League. In the opener, Josh Murphy held the Knights to just two hits over 4.1 innings before Lucas Dawson took over and delivered 3.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Jack Will closed the door in the ninth to complete the combined shutout.
 
The Cougars struck early offensively, plating a run in the first inning before adding two more in the third, highlighted by an RBI knock from Connor Reed. Spring Arbor tacked on single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to secure the 5-0 win.
 
Reed led the offensive effort, going 2-for-2 with two walks, three runs scored and four stolen bases. Brenden Phillips added two hits, while Joey Tessmer drove in three runs. Dawson earned the win on the mound, improving to 4-0 on the season.
 
Game two featured another strong outing from the Cougar pitching staff. Kyler Hinken turned in an impressive start, allowing just two runs – one earned – over five innings, while Kyle Kantola added two scoreless innings of relief.
 
Despite the strong pitching, the Cougars were unable to capitalize offensively in the nightcap. Spring Arbor left runners on base in every inning, including bases-loaded opportunities in both the first and seventh, as Marian edged out a 2-1 win.
 
The two teams will wrap up the series with another doubleheader on Saturday, March 21, with first pitch scheduled for noon.