MATTOON, Ill. – Another day, another split as Macomb Baseball ended a largely successful trip to Illinois in winning fashion with a 5-3 victory over South Suburban College on Saturday (Feb. 28) at Lake Land College. Saturday's opener went in favor of the weekend host, Lake Land, as the NJCAA Division I power held off the Monarchs by an 11-9 final tally.

GAME ONE: DI #RV Lake Land 11, Macomb 9
A pair of late rallies fell just short as the host Lakers held off the Monarchs, 11-9. The Monarchs erased a 6-1 deficit with a five-run fifth, sparked by a bases-clearing double off the bat of Buster Debol. After the game was leveled, 6-6, the Lakers responded with four runs of their own in the home half of the fifth to take a 10-6 lead.

The teams each tallied a run in the sixth before the Monarchs brought two across in the seventh and later loaded the bases with two outs before the Lakers ultimately closed the door for the 11-9 decision.

Marwynn Matthews Jr stayed hot at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a RBI and two runs scored, while Debol was 2-for-4 with four RBIs and run scored. Peyton Rich was 2-for-3 with a double, Evan Morrison went 2-for-4 with a double and Brett Leonard went 2-for-4 with a RBI and run scored.

Dominic Cavacini drew four walks and was 1-for-1 with a pair of runs scored.

GAME TWO: Macomb 5, South Suburban 3
Kaiden Pollock struck out three batters in four innings of relief to secure his first collegiate win and Aidan Manzella came on for the six-out save to record his first collegiate save as the Monarchs defeated South Suburban, 5-3.

Nicholas Stempnik worked as the opener and held South Suburban to a scoreless first inning.

At the plate, Matthews Jr. once again paced the Monarch bats with a 2-for-4 effort that included a RBI and run scored. Morrison and Lochlan Stoudt each had a double for the lone extra-base hits of the contest.

UP NEXT: Florida!
The Monarchs will head home and get another week of practice in before heading to the Sunshine State March 7-11 to compete in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. After playing eight games in five days at the RussMatt, the Monarchs will make a stop in Georgia for a twin bill at Andrew College on March 13.