FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Having survived one season-ending game 9-6, the University of Saint Francis will play another on Monday for a berth in the 2008 Mid-Central Conference baseball Tournament.

   The 3-run win over Marian College in Game 2 at Cougar Field forced a Game 3 since MC won the first 9-inning game 4-3 on a cool, very windy, sunny afternoon. The win in Game 2 was the 25th of the season for USF, which ties for the most wins in a season in the Cougars' 45 years of baseball history.

  Marian will return to Cougar Field on Monday at 1 p.m. in a 9-inning Game 3.

  MC (13-27) had battled back to tie Game 2 at 5 in the top of the seventh, but the Cougars responded with four runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 9-5 lead. MC had battled back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game at 2.

  Starting pitcher and winner Chase Gaff pitched eight innings and Kevin Merz closed allowing a harmless run in the ninth.

  "That was huge after they seemed to have gained momentum," USF coach Greg Roberts said. "We took it right back and didn't let it get away again."

  At least Monday, the Cougars won't have to try to win two games the same day.

Game 1 box

Game 2 box

  -- Go USF --