North Manchester, Ind. - Manchester wrapped up its HCAC doubleheader with Hanover on Saturday at MU Softball Field, dropping the opener before responding with a strong performance in game two to earn a split.

In the first game, Manchester was unable to overcome a big middle stretch by Hanover, falling 7–2. The Spartans struck early, as Kendal Rider led off the bottom of the first with a double and came around to score on an RBI single by Sabrina Leonard to tie the game at 1–1. Manchester added its second run in the third when Erin Singleton reached and later scored on an RBI double by Lizzy Willis, but Hanover answered quickly and pulled away with a three-run fourth inning. Manchester finished with eight hits, led by multi-hit efforts from Singleton and timely extra-base hits from Rider, Willis and Molly Gilhooly. Defensively, the Spartans were steady and did not commit an error, with Gilhooly recording five assists at third base and Leonard handling nine chances at first.

The nightcap saw Manchester bounce back with a 5–4 victory, highlighted by a productive third inning and strong work in the circle out of the bullpen. Hanover took advantage of early opportunities to score four runs in the top of the third, but the Spartans immediately responded with a three-run answer. Rider and Lexi Goodman reached to start the rally, and Singleton delivered a big two-run hit to bring Manchester back within one. Later, the Spartans took the lead for good in the fifth, capitalizing on Hanover miscues and clutch at-bats to plate two runs. Rider finished with a strong all-around performance, scoring twice and collecting a double, while Singleton drove in three runs from the two spot in the lineup. Manchester's pitching staff settled in after the early damage, holding Hanover scoreless over the final four innings to close out the game.