JOPLIN, MO – Challenging one of the top team's in the nation down to the final out, the upset hopes for the University of Mary baseball team fell just short in a 7-4 road loss at #14 Missouri Southern State University. The Marauders, who outhit the Lions 11-9, brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth inning.
 
For the fourth straight game Kalem Haney had at least two hits. The sophomore second baseman was 2-for-4 with a run score. He finished the Marauders 4-game stay in Joplin, MO, 12-of-19 with four triples, six runs scored and seven RBIs.
 
Three other Marauders also had two hits off the Lions pitchers. Michael Polson was 2-for-4 with a home run. Freshman Carter Beck went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Noah Hull also had two hits. Josh Walker scored two runs and had one of the Marauders four steals in the game.
 
UMary (1-3 overall) opened the scoring in the first inning when Beck singled home Walker. The Lions scored twice in the second to take their first lead of the game. The Marauders then went back in front 3-2 in the third on a Lions throwing error and another Beck single that again plated Walker.
 
The changed hands again when MSSU scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to move ahead 4-3. Once again, UMary responded as Polson homered to left to tie the game at 4-4.
 
The homestanding Lions (11-2 overall) took the lead for good with a 3-run seventh inning to move in front 7-4.
 
The Marauders threatened in each of the final two innings. UMary had two hits to place runners on second and third with two outs but couldn't capitalize. In the ninth, singles by Haney and Hull and a walk by Beck loaded the bases with two outs but all three runners were stranded. The Marauders stranded 10 runners in the game.
 
The Marauders next open Northern Sun play when UMary faces Minnesota State University, Mankato in a four-game set February 23-25 at Frerichs Legion Field in Elkhorn, NE.
 
#marauders#