OAK CREEK, Wis. – MATC twice jumped in front to start its home opener Wednesday, flashing the kind of early energy that suggested the afternoon might tilt their way. But each advantage slipped just as quickly as it arrived, unraveling in sudden momentum swings that Highland seized with authority.

A five‑run seventh inning flipped Game 1 on its head, and the Cougars doubled down in the nightcap, stringing together a four‑run third and three‑run fourth to finish off a 5–2, 8–3 sweep that left the Stormers still searching for their first home win.

"[Jakeb] Lequia gave us an amazing start in Game 1," MATC head coach Caleb Bounds said. "We just have to figure out how to finish a game. Free passes and free bases are deterring our team right now from winning these close ball games. We just have to figure out how to close out a ball game and be on the winning side of these close games."

Game 1: Highland 5, Stormers 2 (7 innings)
Despite a brilliant outing from starting pitcher Jakeb Lequia, who worked 6 1/3 innings and allowed just three earned runs on five hits while striking out 12 against only two walks, the Stormers couldn't secure the finish they needed from the bullpen.

MATC looked sharp early, manufacturing a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to take a 2–0 lead. Easton Morehouse opened the inning with a single, Gavin Garnica followed with a walk, and after a strikeout, Lucas Hernandez loaded the bases with another free pass. Carson Sieler brought home the first run with an RBI groundout, and a bases‑loaded wild pitch added another.

From there, the Stormers managed just two more hits — a leadoff double by Tyler Lee in the third and a leadoff single by Hernandez in the seventh.

Highland flipped the game in the top of the seventh, starting with a leadoff walk followed by a strikeout, single, and another walk to load the bases. With pressure mounting, Lequia handed the ball to Isaiah Head, who walked in a run and allowed an RBI single that tied the game at 2–2. Another bases‑loaded walk pushed Highland ahead 3–2.

After that, Connor Ziman entered in relief and induced a fielder's choice to make it 4–2 before giving up an RBI single that extended the Bulldogs' lead to 5–2.

Hernandez tried to spark a rally with a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh, but the Stormers went down in order on three straight flyouts to end the game.

Game 2: Highland 8, Stormers 3 (7 innings)
MATC again struck first, taking a 1–0 lead in the bottom of the second on a solo home run to left by Jaiden Jung, but the Stormers couldn't sustain the early momentum. Highland answered immediately, stringing together a pair of big innings and forcing MATC starter Ethan Engelbrecht out after just 2 1/3 innings.

Highland's push began in the top of the third, where back‑to‑back walks issued by Engelbrecht with one out set the inning in motion. A defensive miscue brought home the tying run, and consecutive RBI singles quickly put the Cougars ahead 3–1. A run‑scoring groundout added another, sending MATC into the bottom half trailing 4–1 and unable to respond.

The fourth inning brought more trouble. Bralen Mitcham opened the frame with two straight walks, recorded a strikeout, then issued a third walk to load the bases. He picked up another strikeout for the second out, but a defensive error on the next play allowed three runs to score, blowing the inning open and extending Highland's lead to 7–1.

MATC had a chance to chip away in the fifth when Hayden Fellows singled and reached third with two outs, but he was stranded. The Stormers then mounted their strongest push in the sixth. A leadoff single by Peyton Flees and a walk to Carson Sieler set the stage, and Colton Schall brought home a run with an RBI groundout. After Easton Morehouse drew a walk to put runners on the corners, Sieler scored on an error to cut the deficit to 7–3. MATC threatened with runners on second and third, but a groundout ended the inning and limited the rally.

Highland added insurance in the seventh with a dose of small ball. A leadoff single led to a sacrifice bunt, moving the runner to second, and a single put runners on the corners. A fielder's choice brought home another run, pushing the margin to 8–3.

MATC tried to spark one last rally in the bottom of the seventh. After two quick outs, a dropped third strike allowed a runner to reach, and a double followed to put two aboard. The comeback bid ended there, though, as a flyout with runners on second and third closed the game.

Engelbrecht took the loss, allowing two earned runs on no hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Max Nottingham delivered the strongest relief outing of the day, tossing a hitless, scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Nolan Litkowiec added one scoreless inning, allowing just one hit. Trey Jones, Bralen Mitcham, and Charlie Cefalu also saw work out of the bullpen.

UP NEXT
MATC (1–5) heads to Lafayette, Ind., on Friday for a doubleheader against Marian University's Ancilla College at Loeb Stadium, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. and Game 2 scheduled for 4 p.m. (CST).