Whle the Marian University Ancilla baseball team split a pair of games on Saturday, they unfortunately dropped both games on Sunday, however, they had several great moments and looked much-improved over last season's team, giving them a great deal of excitement for the remainder of the 2024 season. Below is a quick look at how the team faired in each of Sunday's matchups with NJCAA Division-I Southeastern Illlinois.
Game-1 (L 7-2): In the first game Sunday afternoon, the Chargers kept pace with Southeastern Illinois for 5 1/2 innings before succumbing to the Falcons. In the top of the 2nd, Sophomore Rudy Ramos singled to center, scoring Freshman John Morgan, a courtesy runner for the catcher. That tied the score at 1-1. In the bottom of the 3rd, the Falcons put two more runs on the board on a sacrifice fly and a double, reclaiming the lead at 3-1. But MUAC answered in the top of the 6th inning. Sophomore Kennon Kemp led off the inning with a single to center, then with one out, Freshman Blaze Schultz was hit by a pitch. With two runners aboard, Sophomore Austin Hear singled to second base, scoring Kemp, and cutting the lead to 3-2. However, in the bottom of the 6th inning, the Falcons erupted, collecting a walk, a pair of singles, a double, and a triple, scoring 4 runs in total, and taking a 7-2 lead on the Chargers. Marian Ancilla tried to answer back in the top of the 7th, picking up a leadoff single by Freshman Isaiah Steinhilber, followed by a walk by Ramos. But a double play and a strikeout ended the game with Southeastern Illinois still on top, 7-2. Freshman Jaden Franceschina (0-1) was credited with the loss.
Game-2 (L 6-2): As for the finale in Harrisburg, once again a rough 6th inning made it difficult for the Chargers to escape with their second victory of the weekend. Southeastern Illinois began the game with a run in the 1st and a run in the 2nd, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. MUAC fired back in the top of the 3rd, as Freshman Traevyn Shoaf led off with a single, Kennon Kemp walked, and then Sophomore James Riddle reached safely on a bunt single to load the bases. Sophomore Conner Boone came to the plate next, hitting into a fielder's choice, as the shortstop got Kemp advancing to third. However Shoaf scored, making it 2-1 SIC. Following another fielder's choice, Riddle found himself on third base. He would come in to score on a passed ball by the Falcons' catcher, knotting the game at 2-2. Then came the dreaded 6th inning. After the dust settled from a pair of singles, three walks, and an error, Southeastern Illinois was again in front, 6-2. Jake Hamilton, the Falcons starter who pitched all 7 innings, struck out all three Chargers he faced in the top of the 7th to finish off the complete game. Freshman Aiden Diaz pitched 4 solid innings for the Chargers, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 5. Sophomore Nolan Green (0-1) picked up the loss.
The Marian University Ancilla baseball team is back in action this weekend with four more games at Vincennes University. They play Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET against Frontier Community College, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET against the host Trailblazers, then twice Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Please come out and support the Chargers!!