WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Marymount University baseball fought to the very end on Friday afternoon, but Atlantic East Conference foe Immaculata University used an early lead to fend off MU at Nationals Youth Academy.

Immaculata (17-2, 13-1 AEC) struck early on a gusty afternoon with four runs in the opening frame. Marymount (13-4, 11-2 AEC) manufactured runs in the bottom of the first and second innings, but the Mighty Macs tacked another three runs on in the fourth inning to take a 7-2 lead.

Facing a five-run deficit, the Saints offense started to come alive in the fifth inning. After Alex Lemery moved James DiGiulian and Jordan Dickson into scoring position, Bill Wojcik dug in with one out. The senior did not disappoint and laced a single up the middle that plated Dickson. Two batters later, Casey Baker sent a single through the right side that scored DiGiulian.

The Mighty Macs managed to score three runs across the sixth and seventh innings, but the Saints responded again in the bottom of the seventh. DiGiulian started the rally with a walk and got moved to third on a single from Lemery. The junior swiped second base before a grounder from Wojcik plated DiGiulian. Ryan Maylie worked a walk which brought Baker to the plate. The senior came through once and delivered an RBI single that made it 10-6.

Marymount continued on the comeback trail in the eighth inning. DiGiulian was the triggerman, as a one-out single scored Robby Cable. With the Mighty Macs within striking distance, the Saints started the final frame off with a bang. Maylie lead off the frame and blasted a homer to dead centerfield to cut Immaculata's lead to two runs. MU was unable to build off of Maylie's effort, however, as Immaculata forced a trio of groundouts to end the game.

Baker had a solid day at the plate and went 3-for-5 with two RBI and one run. Wojcik added a team-best three RBI, while Robert Moffett, Maylie, and DiGiulian all finished with one RBI each.

Marymount continues its series against Immaculata on the road with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 1. Game one is scheduled to start at noon.