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After opening the season with two straight wins, the Saline varsity baseball team has dropped four straight. Monday, the Hornets opened the SEC Red season with two losses at Monroe. 5-4 and 7-2.
Saline will try to get one back Wednesday when it hosts Monroe.
In the 5-4 loss, Zach Fidh took the loss in relief. Jackson Muir started and went 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks. Muir struck out seven. Fidh allowed two runs - both unearned - in 1 1/3 innings.
Monroe jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. Saline bounced back for two runs in the top of the fourth. Monroe scored one in the bottom of the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. In the fifth, Saline jumped ahead, 4-3, with two runs. But Monroe scored two in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead for good.
Roman Laurio went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Mack Notar and Sam Miller each went 1-for-3 with two RBI. Cade Tousa and Laurio each hit a double. Miller, Tousa and Laurio each stole a base.
Saline led the nightcap 2-1 before Monroe erupted for six runs in the bottom of the fifth. Starting pitcher Sam Miller went four innings, allowing a run on three hits. Miller walked none and struck out five. Brandon Wise was tagged with the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and a walk. He struck out one.
Hunter Easton went 2-for-3 with a double. Kriss Sydlowski was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI. Laurio was 1-for-1 with a walk and a run. He was also hit by a pitch.