UPLAND, Ind. – A late sacrifice fly by Michael Pinarski (Goshen, Ind./Goshen) broke a 5-5 tie in the eighth inning as Manchester battled from behind to earn a 6-5 victory at NAIA-power Taylor University on Tuesday March 10.

The Spartans took advantage of some sloppy Trojan defense to lead things off on Tuesday. Taylor committed a pair of errors in the top of the first inning that led to two Manchester runs.

Manchester took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning following an RBI single to center by Joe Gallatin (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central).

Taylor quickly rebounded and scored four runs in the home half of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead. The Trojans went ahead 5-3 in the fifth after an RBI single by Jacob Morris.

Freshman Aidan Stevens (Rensselaer, Ind./Rensselaer Central) picked up his first collegiate RBI in the sixth after his double scored Brett Kron (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills).

Manchester tied the game in the seventh. Joe Gallatin picked up his second RBI of the evening after his double to right scored Michael Pinarski.

Pinarski broke the 5-5 tie and put Manchester ahead for good in the top of the eighth with a sac fly to left.

Senior Nick Rush (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute North) earned his first victory on the hill for the Black and Gold. Rush (1-0) threw 4.0 scoreless innings, scattering five hits and striking out four.

The Spartans (2-5) ended an early season five-game skid with the victory on Tuesday night. The Spartans will travel to Florida next week for their annual Spring Break trip.

NAIA-power Taylor fell to 13-5 on the season.