The Marian University Ancilla baseball hosted the Lake Michigan Red Hawks Saturday, but as they have found all too often, home field advantage doesn't necessarily represent how it sounds. Though the Chargers have put together a record-setting season in terms of overall wins already in 2024, they are just 2-9 now at the Donaldson, Indiana, field. Below is a look at some highlights from their two losses against Lake Michigan College Saturday afternoon.

Game-1 (L 14-2): The day began very well for the Chargers. They recorded three consecutive outs in the top of the 1st inning, then saw Sophomore Conner Boone, Freshman Cade Riley, and Sophomore Tyler Bumbalough each hit singles, scoring Boone and Riley to take a 2-0 lead. The Red Hawks responded with a run in the top of the 4th inning, but through 4 complete innings, the Chargers were still ahead, 2-1.

But the top of the 5th inning saw the Chargers commit 3 errors as the Red Hawks capitalized, adding 5 singles to the mix, and suddenly it was an insurmountable 9-2 Lake Michigan lead. The Red Hawks would go on to add 5 more runs in the top of the 6th inning to claim a 14-2 victory over Marian Ancilla.

It was a tough outing for Freshman pitcher Jaden Franceschina (3-5), who took the loss despite just 2 of his 9 runs allowed being earned. In an otherwise solid 4.2 innings by the rookie, he struck out 3 Red Hawks while only walking 2.

Game-2 (L 12-9): The second game of the afternoon got off to a rocky start, as Lake Michigan took advantage of 3 walks, they hit 4 singles, and they utilized a pair of sacrifice flies in the top of the 3rd inning to jump out to a 5-0 lead. A walk and a single in the top of the 4th allowed them to extend that lead to 6-0. The Red Hawks also managed a run in the top of the 5th, when a steal attempt caused a Charger error, and the Lake Michigan runner was able to score, stretching the lead to 7-0.

In the bottom of the 5th, however, the Chargers found some offense. Sophomore James Riddle walked to begin the inning, followed by singles by Freshman Diego Pettiford and Sophomore Conner Boone, and it was 7-1. Freshman Cade Riley hit a sacrifice fly to score Pettiford, and Sophomore Jomar Negron singled to score Boone, and it was 7-3 with 1 out.

With 2 outs, courtesy runner Christian Conder scored on a passed ball, then Freshman Blaze Schultz walked, and the score stood at 7-4. Sophomore Matteo Lindia was hit by a pitch, then Freshman John Morgan and James Riddle both walked, allowing Schultz to score, trimming the Red Hawk lead to 7-5.

Unfortunately for the Chargers, Lake Michigan used an error, 4 singles, and a double in the top of the 6th inning to add those 5 runs right back, extend their lead to 7 again at 12-5.

In the bottom of the 6th, Boone singled, then stole 3 bases and scored, cutting the lead to 12-6. Riley then walked, stole 2nd and 3rd base, then Negron walked. With more crafty base-running, Riley was able to steal home, making it 12-7. Conder pinch ran again for Negron, then stole 2nd and 3rd base himself. Sophomore Tyler Bumbalough then walked. Schultz hit a sacrifice bunt, scoring Conder, and it was 12-8 now, but that was it for the inning.

The Chargers added one more tally in the bottom of the 7th, when Riddle reached on an error, then advanced to 3rd base on a sacrifice bunt and a ground out. With 2 outs in the last inning, Riley singled to score Riddle, making it 12-9, but the Chargers just couldn't find any more offense left in the tank.

Freshman pitcher Jacob Hobbs (4-4) was credited with the loss, as he worked the first 3.0 innings, allowing 6 earned runs. Unfortunately for Marian Ancilla, only 1 of the final 6 runs was earned.