INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian baseball team completed their weekend series against the University of Saint Francis on Saturday afternoon, taking down the Cougars twice to close out a four-game sweep. The pair of Crossroads League wins give the Knights a 4-0 start to league play, as the team improves to 9-3 overall on the season. 

Game One | Marian 13-3 Saint Francis | 7 Innings
The Knights played from behind in game three of the weekend, as the Cougars plated the first runs of the game in top of the second inning, ripping three hits off Eli Loichinger to help score a pair of runs. The second of the two runs came on a bases-loaded catcher's interference, bringing an unearned run across the plate to take a 2-0 lead. Loichinger would respond and pitch a three-up, three-down third inning, and in the fourth the sophomore struck out two batters to hold the game at a 2-0 count.

Although the Knights were shutout on the board through three innings, Marian had chances to strike, missing an opportunity with runners on second and third in the first inning, while in the third inning Brayden Coffey managed to reach third after drawing a walk, but a fly out ended the chance. Marian would get on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, breaking through with a two-run home run from freshman catcher Ty Jarvis, tying the game 2-2. 

Saint Francis would reclaim the lead in the top of the fifth inning as Loichinger yielded two singles, giving up an unearned run in the process. Trailing 3-2, the Marian offense quickly found an answer, as Brayden Coffey slammed a one-out triple to wake up the bats. Landon Sarkey followed the three-base hit with an RBI single to tie the game, with Hector Corona continuing the rally with an RBI double, scoring the freshman from first base. Corona would then come around to score on a single hit by River Pecina, driving the Knights in front 5-3. 

Leading 5-3 after the three-run inning, the Knights turned the game over to Kaeb Stebbins, who pitched two scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh frames. Stebbins worked out of a self-inflicted jam in the sixth after putting two men on base, while in the seventh he notched a pair of strikeouts after allowing a lead-off double. With the pitching locked down, the bats continued to roll, as the patient Knights scored three runs in the sixth inning without a hit, drawing three walks while being hit by pitch three times as well. Looking to complete a run-rule win with their 8-3 lead, Marian poured it on in the bottom of the fifth, bringing home five runs.

Cole McManus led the charge in the seventh inning with a lead-off solo home run, while with two outs the Knights were able to load the bases on free passes. Tate Bender and Brayden Coffey each scored on wild throws, and after getting the bases full once again, Calvin Miller delivered the game-ending two-RBI single, sealing a 13-3 run-rule victory.

Loichinger (2-1) picked up the win on the mound, pitching five innings with five hits and three runs allowed, one of which was earned. Loichinger struck out four batters in his outing, while Stebbins struck out two as he was credited with the save. Offensively, Jarvis and McManus provided the pop with home runs, and Coffey finished the game 2-3 with a pair of runs, walks, and stolen bases. Sarkey, Corona, Jarvis, and Miller each had two RBI in the win.

Game Two | Marian 13-1 Saint Francis
Unlike game one, the weekend finale belonged solely to the Knights, as Marian dominated from the opening frame. Seth Hogg tossed a scoreless first inning after allowing a lead-off double, and in the home half inning, Brayden Coffey and Calvin Miller each homered, putting three runs on the board between the two long ball hits. 

The offense would strike again in the third inning, as Marian plated three more runs. Hector Corona scored after Cole McManus drew a bases loaded walk, and River Pecina and Calvin Miller would each score over the next two at bats. The attack would continue in the fourth, with three more runs crossing the plate, getting the highlight play from Pecina's RBI triple.

While Marian grooved offensively, Seth Hogg continued his strong run to open the season. Hogg retired the side in order in both the second and third innings, while in the fourth he faced the minimum after forcing an inning-ending double play. Hogg faced trouble in the fifth inning as he allowed a double and RBI single, but ended his day on a high-note, limiting the damage to one as he got a strikeout and flyout to complete the inning.

Marian brought home their final runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring four to take a 13-1 lead. Corona recorded an RBI walk, and Tate Bender would later score in the frame on a wild pitch. Judah Hennessy made the splash play in the inning, recording a pinch-hit, two-RBI double to complete the team's scoring. Brady Armstrong and Jack Peine finished the game on the mound for Marian with the 13-1 lead, as both sophomore's pitched scoreless innings. Armstrong retired his final two batters on strikes, and Piene struck out the side in the seventh inning, completing the 13-1 victory. 

The team combined for eight hits in the victory, with River Pecina finishing the game a perfect 3-3 with a triple and double. Miller and Coffey each hit home runs in the game, while Miller joined Hennessy with a pair of RBI. Hogg (2-0) earned the win on the mound, allowing three hits and one run in five innings of work. The junior struck out four batters against one walk in his outing.

After collecting their first four Crossroads League wins, the Knights will aim to repeat their formula next weekend, traveling to Goshen on Friday and Saturday for a four-game set. 

MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos, and more.