SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team closed out its four-game series with Marian University on Saturday at Hank Burbridge Field, falling 19-3 in the opener before responding with a gritty 6-5 victory in game two.
After being held in check on Friday, Marian's offense came alive in the first game of the day. The contest was tied 1-1 through three innings before the Knights broke it open with a six-run fourth inning. Marian continued to add on, scoring in three of the next four frames, including a seven-run eighth inning to invoke the 10-run rule.
Spring Arbor collected 11 hits in the opener, with
Joey Tessmer and
Connor Dee recording two hits apiece.
Connor Reed added a hit, an RBI and two stolen bases in the effort.
The Cougars bounced back in game two, showing resilience after an early deficit. Marian pushed across two runs in the first inning, but Spring Arbor answered immediately in the bottom half as Tessmer launched a two-run home run to even the score.
SAU took control in the third inning, plating two runs to grab a 4-2 advantage. After allowing the early runs,
Colin Snyder settled in on the mound, tossing three consecutive scoreless innings before Marian tied the game with a pair of runs in the fifth.
Spring Arbor responded once again in the bottom of the fifth, as Tessmer delivered his second two-run homer of the afternoon to put the Cougars back in front, 6-4.
Marian threatened in the seventh, scoring once to cut the deficit to one and putting the tying run in scoring position. However,
Lucas Dawson came through in the clutch, striking out the final batter to secure his second save of the season.
Tessmer powered the Cougar offense, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs and three runs scored.
Aiden Brunin added a perfect 2-for-2 performance with three stolen bases and three runs scored, while Dee drove in a run.
Snyder earned the win on the mound, working into the seventh inning while allowing six hits and striking out six.
Spring Arbor will return to action on Tuesday, March 24, when it travels to Rochester Christian University in non-conference play.
