North Manchester, Ind. - The Manchester University Baseball team wrapped up their three-game series over Bluffton this past Monday.

With two wins over the Beavers, Manchester clinched a share of the HCAC Regular Season Title for the first time since 2014. The Spartans also locked up the #1 seed in the HCAC Tournament this weekend where their first game will be Thursday at 4:30 PM in Kokomo, Ind. 

Game One Manchester 2, Bluffton 3 (11 Inn.)

The Spartans fell 3-2 to Bluffton on Friday despite out-hitting them nine to seven. Vian Mariani (South Bend, Ind., John Adams) led Manchester with three hits.

Rocco Hanes (Ossian, Ind., Norwell) started on the bump for the Black & Gold. The pitcher gave up five hits and two runs (one earned) over 10 innings, striking out 12 and walking none.

The Spartans accumulated nine hits in the game. Gavin Gleason (Brookston, Ind., Delphi Community) and Joel Kennedy (Mooreland, Ind., Monroe Central) each drove in one run for Manchester.

Game Two Manchester 7, Bluffton 6 (11 Inn.)

It came down to the wire on Friday, as the Spartans grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion, 7-6, over Bluffton. The game was tied at six in the bottom of the eleventh when Rocco Hanes singled, scoring one run.

Max Horner (Goshen, Ind., Northridge) collected three hits in five at bats in the win. Horner singled in the seventh inning, doubled in the eleventh inning, and singled in the fourth inning.

Ty Layson (Fort Wayne, Ind., Homestead) stepped on the hill first for Manchester. The starter surrendered eight hits and five runs over eight innings, striking out six and walking three. Arturo Casas (Pendleton, Ind., Pendleton Heights) tossed two innings of shutout ball for the Spartans in relief. The lefty surrendered zero hits, striking out four and walking one.

Manchester tallied 15 hits in the game. Hanes provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Spartans with two runs batted in. The third baseman went 1-for-5 on the day. Mitchell Cobb (Pendleton, Ind., Pendleton Heights), the Spartan's number eight hitter, led the team with four hits in five at-bats. Cam Bortone (South Bend, Ind,, Mishawaka Marian) and Horner each collected multiple hits and Manchester turned one double play in the game.

Game Three Manchester 4, Bluffton 1 (5 Inn.)

The final regular season game of the year came and went as a rain delay inevitably lead to the game being finished early, however the Seniors were honored and the Spartans clinched a share of the HCAC Regular Season TItle. 

Jared Holley (Wabash, Ind., Wabash) started on the hill for Manchester. The starter allowed nine hits and one run (zero earned) over five and one-third innings, striking out three and walking two.

Joel Kennedy and Alex Westfield (Rockledge, FL, Viera) each collected two hits for the Spartans. Hanes, Massing, Westfield, and Dierckman each drove in one run.