FOND DU LAC, Wis. - After losing to Marian University twice earlier this season, the Ripon baseball team came out on top in their third and final meeting Thursday night, defeating the Sabres 8-2. The Red Hawks never trailed in the game, recording 15 hits, while allowing five.

Ripon (11-12) took the first lead of the game in the top of the first when Michael Polcyn connected on his first home run of the season, a two-run shot over the right field wall. The Red Hawks added two more runs in the third when Robbie Schuettpelz scored on a groundout and Polcyn added an RBI single to center.

Marian (16-14) got on the board in the fourth with an RBI single, but Ripon would get that run back in the top of the fifth when Nick Schmitt doubled to left center, allowing Polcyn to score.

The Sabres scored again on an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth, but the Red Hawks put the game away with a three-run sixth. That inning featured four Ripon hits, including an RBI single from Schuettpelz and a two-run double off the bat of Dakotah Kirchenwitz.

Polcyn finished one of his best games of the season by going 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Kirchenwitz added three hits, including two doubles, while Schuettpelz also had three hits and Schmitt and Bradley Knoblock each finished with two base knocks. David Knapp (1-0) earned the victory, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out three in five innings of work.

The Red Hawks will return to conference play on Saturday when they'll host Lawrence University for a doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m. at Francis Field.
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