FLORENCE, KY. – Buoyed by a complete-game pitching victory from sophomore right-handed starter Brandon Eck (Fort Wayne, Ind.) in game one and a six-run outburst over the first four frames of the nightcap Friday, March 25, Manchester University began the 2016 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference on a positive note.

The Spartans, moving to 8-8 overall and 2-1 in the conference, rebounded from a tough 9-8 loss to the host Mt. St. Joseph University Lions Thursday, March 24, that saw MSJ hold off a late rally from their guests to earn the decision. Eck stepped to the forefront quickly in Friday's first contest, dancing around 10 Lions' hits, including a home run due in large part to seven strikeouts, to help the pave the way to a 9-4 MU win. Sophomore designated hitter Alex Trzeciak (Charlotte, Ind.) topped the offense with a pair of hits, including a double, to go with two runs scored from his leadoff spot, while senior shortstop Sean Knepper (Bremen, Ind.) and junior first baseman Tailur Szarenski (Bluffton, Ind.) also added a pair of RBI each.

After posting four runs over the final four innings of the doubleheader opener, Manchester University's bats stayed hot to start the nightcap. Junior outfielder Chad Schultz (Fair Oaks, Ind.) drilled a two-run home run and a double, and Szarenski added a pair of hits and three RBI to aid in a 6-0 edge through three and a half that the visitors didn't relinquish in route to a 9-2 victory. Sophomore starting pitcher Mitch McDonald (Waterloo, Ind.), gaining his first collegiate win, was steady, as he surrendered only two runs on five hits while striking out five over six frames. Junior Cory Ferguson (Fort Wayne, Ind.) added to recent accolades for the ever-rising bullpen, going the final three with only three hits given up and two strikeouts.

The Black and Gold open the home portion of their 2016 schedule Tuesday, March 29, as Defiance College comes to Gratz Field for a 4:15 p.m. first pitch.

NOTES: Knepper saw his on-base string go up to 23 straight games, dating back through the end of 2015, while his hit streak, which had been 19 going into the series, was stopped in Thursday's contest … The Spartans' series win continued an impressive recent run in the all-time annals against MSJ, as they've won 19 of the last 21.