Cincinnati, OH - Manchester wrapped up its HCAC road doubleheader at Mt. St. Joseph on Sunday with a split, taking the opener 5–4 before dropping the second game 3–2 at Midland Field in Batavia, Ohio.

In the first game, the Spartans pieced together timely hitting and just enough pitching to hang on for the one-run victory. Manchester finished with 11 hits and drew six walks, building a lead they would protect through the late innings. The offense broke through in the second inning when Donavin Massing walked, stole second and later scored on an RBI double by Evann Schmidtendorff. After Mt. St. Joseph answered with two runs in the bottom half, Manchester responded with its biggest push of the day in the fifth.

With the bases loaded, Michael Dierckman delivered a two-out, two-run single to right to swing the momentum back in Manchester's favor, and an additional run crossed shortly after to give the Spartans a 4–2 edge. Manchester added an insurance run in the sixth as Max Horner tripled and later scored, which proved critical as the Lions closed the gap late.

Horner finished the opener 3-for-4 with two runs scored and the triple, while Dierckman went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a stolen base. Massing reached base four times with two hits and two walks, and Schmidtendorff added two hits and an RBI. On the mound, Ty Layson earned the win after working 6.1 innings, striking out four while battling through traffic. Quinton Black was sharp in relief, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings and recording the save as Manchester held off a two-run push by Mt. St. Joseph in the seventh.

Game two turned into a tight pitchers' duel with both teams trading early chances before runs were hard to come by. Mt. St. Joseph scored in the first inning, but Manchester's pitching settled in and kept the game within reach. Jackson Todor gave the Spartans 6.2 innings, allowing two earned runs while forcing a steady stream of ground balls to keep the Lions from extending their lead.

Manchester finally broke through in the seventh inning with a two-run rally. Joel Kennedy delivered a clutch bases-loaded single to drive in both runs and give the Spartans a brief advantage, capping a frame in which Manchester showed patience and put pressure on the Lions' defense.

The lead did not last, as Mt. St. Joseph answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh and then closed the door in the late innings. Manchester stranded several runners over the final two frames and finished the game with nine hits and seven walks, but couldn't produce the decisive hit.

Kennedy went 1-for-4 with both RBI in the nightcap, while Collin Bailey turned in a strong offensive effort by going 3-for-4. Horner, Massing and Alex Westfield each added hits as Manchester continued to generate opportunities. Despite the loss, the Spartans played solid defense, turning two double plays and committing just one error.