Marian University baseball (22-19, 14-10 NACC) defeated Benedictine 8-7 before falling to MSOE 4-3 to open double-elimination at the NACC Tournament.
 

GAME 1

• The Sabres were able to strike first plating a run in the top of the third off of a single from senior Jacob Kleemann.
• The lead didn’t last long as Benedictine responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning.
• Senior Albert Kiszka opened the sixth inning with a home run to cut the Marian lead to two.
• After the next two hitters were retired, the following five Sabres reached safely.
• Kleemann had the big hit of the frame driving in two runs to put Marian ahead 5-4.
• The Eagles responded following the stretch with three runs to retake the lead at 7-5.
• The Sabre rally began in the eighth with senior Robbie Knorr driving in a run to put Marian behind one.
• A leadoff walk and sacrifice bunt helped set the stage for another two-out rally for Marian in the ninth.
• Sophomore Marc Jones was able to tie the game with a two-out single and good base running put him on second on the throw home.
• Marian then took the lead for good with a single from senior Gus Walker that snuck through the left side of the infield.
• The Eagles put a pair of runners on base via walks, but the Sabres were able to hold on to stay in the winner’s bracket.
• Marian improves to 16-28 all-time against Benedictine and 3-0 against the Eagles this season.

GAME 2

• The bottom of the Marian lineup continued to produce with Jones and Walker each bringing home a run in the second to open the scoring.
• The lead lasted until the bottom of the third when MSOE tied the game and eventually took the lead with an unearned run in the fourth.
• The Raiders extended their lead to 4-2 with a run in the sixth.
• A double from Kleemann brought Marian to within a run in the eighth, but on the same play the Raiders were able cut down the tying run at the plate.
• Marian was able to put the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the ninth but were unable to extend the game.

	Senior Jacob Kleemann was 3-for-7 on the day with four runs driven in and two runs scored.
	Graduate student Robbie Knorr had a hit in each game going 3-for-5 with a run driven in and two scored against Benedictine.
	Senior Riley Richard (3-6) threw his second complete game of the season against MSOE allowing three earned runs with seven strikeouts.