RADNOR, Pa.- The Mighty Macs (10-7, 2-2 Atlantic East) travelled to Cabrini (17-4) on Saturday afternoon for a crucial Atlantic East doubleheader, and the Macs were clipped in a pair of great ball games, 3-2 and 5-2.  A two-run sixth by the Cavaliers in game one and a four-run fourth in game two were the difference in both contests.
 
In the opener, senior Billy Manzo threw well, but the Macs only mustered four hits and couldn't back his strong effort.  In game two, IU pounded out 13 hits, including four from junior Tyler Kmiec, but couldn't cash in on their opportunities.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME 1
-Cabrini got to Manzo first in their half of the first with back-to-back two out doubles to give them a 1-0 lead despite two punchouts from the senior lefty
-The Macs loaded the bases in the third on two hit batters and a walk, and senior Tom Prato walked to force in a run with one out to tie the game, but the Macs had back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat
-Manzo settled in over the next three frames, allowing just a pair of singles as he was doing his best to bolster the Macs
-In the fifth, Kmiec hit a one out single and Prato was hit by a pitch to put two on with two out and senior Cameron Delisle stroked a single through the left side to give IU a 2-1 advantage
-However, Cabrini had the decisive two-run sixth to take the lead.  An error followed by a double quickly tied the game, and after an out, senior Zach Smiley relieved Manzo.  With runners on the corners and one out, the Cavaliers executed a safety squeeze to take a 3-2 advantage
-In the seventh, a two-out Prato single was erased with a strikeout as the Cavs took the opener
 
MACS AT THE PLATE
-Kmiec: 1-3, R, BB
-Delisle: 1-3, RBI, BB
-Prato: 1-2, RBI, BB
 
IU IN THE CIRCLE
-Manzo (L): 5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 7 K
-Smiley: 2/3 IP, K
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME 2
-IU hoped to erase the first game loss as they loaded the bases with one out, but a line out double play ended the threat
-Junior Greg Grandelli got the start and had a 1-2-3 first inning before surrendering a lead off home run in the second.  They extended their lead in the third on a pair of errors and the Macs trailed 2-0
-In the bottom of the fourth, the Cavaliers loaded the bases with two outs, and Grandelli nearly wiggled out of the jam, but a bases clearing triple was a decisive blow as IU now trailed 5-0
-Kmiec had an RBI single in the fifth to get on the board, and the Macs loaded the bases to threaten for more, but a groundout ended the threat
-Freshman Ryan Crowell came on in relief and delivered three shutout innings to give the Mighty Mac offense a chance
-The Macs were only able to add one more run in the sixth on a Cabrini error.  The Macs didn't go quietly as they had a pair of singles in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, but were unable to come up with the big hit
 
MACS AT THE PLATE
-Kmiec: 4-5, RBI, 2B
-Prato: 2-4, HBP
-Delisle: 2-5
-Hannon: 2-4, R
 
IU IN THE CIRCLE
-Grandelli (L): 4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
-Crowell: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 K
-Huyette: 2/3 IP, H, K
-Yarson: 1/3 IP, BB, K
 
UP NEXT
The Mighty Macs will host Lebanon Valley on Tuesday at the IU Baseball Field to open a four-game homestand.