The Lakeland College baseball team produced big when it counted, and the result was a satisfying doubleheader sweep of rival Marian University Monday afternoon in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.
The Muskies defeated the Sabres 6-5 in 11 innings in the first game and then pulled away late for a 14-6 win in the second contest. Lakeland made the wait for its home opener worthwhile, putting together dramatic rallies in both games and improving to 6-9 overall and 3-1 in the NACC. The three conference wins also already equals the team's conference win totals in each of the last two seasons.
The Muskies furnished heroics in both games to win after the Sabres (7-12 overall, 0-4 NACC) had rallied late to tie it.
Lakeland led much of Game 1 and was ahead 4-2 in the top of the ninth, one out away from finishing off the win when Marian put together a last-ditch rally that included a walk, a double, and then a two-run single by clean-up hitter Adam Ryan to tie the game at 4-4. The visitors then drew first blood in extra innings, with Tony Grannis singling to score Jordan Walker for a 5-4 lead in the top of the 11th.
Rather than being defeated, though, the Muskies battled right back.
Drew Richard (
So.-Kieler, Wis.) led off with a single,
Brandon Glaeser (
Sr.-Newton, Wis.) bunted and beat out the throw to first, and both moved up on a sacrifice bunt by
Kyle Delahaut (
Sr.-Green Bay, Wis.). Richard then scored on a passed ball, and
Luke Bacci (
Sr.-Grayslake, Ill.) followed with a single to right to score Glaeser with the winning run.
The Muskies then spotted the Sabres two runs early in the second game before scoring four times in the fourth.
Jody Harrison (
Fr.-Pontiac, Mich.) provided the big blast with a bases-clearing, three-run double, and Lakeland added another run in the fifth for a 5-2 lead.
Marian came back with two runs in the sixth and a run in the seventh to tie it up, but the Muskies responded in grand fashion, scoring eight times in the bottom of the seventh. Harrison singled in two more runs, Bacci,
Peyton Knoll (
Sr.-Linden, Mich.),
Jared Rear (
Sr.-Belleville, Wis.),
Connor Hilburn (
Fr.-Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and
Kenny Pekarek (
Jr.-Sagola, Mich.) all drove in single runs, and Lakeland sent 13 batters to the plate.
Luke Mandich (
Sr.-Green Bay, Wis.) started the opener and went eight innings, scattering nine hits and allowing two runs while striking out four.
Ryan Oharriz (
Fr.-Pembroke Pines, Fla.) picked up the win in relief, pitching the 11th and allowing two hits and a run.
Hilburn started the second game covered the first six innings, allowing seven hits and four runs (three earned) before giving way to
Travis Regalado (Fr.-Willcox, Ariz.), who also picked up the win in relief allosing five hits and two runs (one earned). Both also benefited from some terrific defense, as Lakeland gobbled up four double plays in the nightcap.
The Muskies are on the road Tuesday when they face MSOE for two games starting at noon.
