Anderson Fights to Split with Manchester

The Anderson University Baseball team (18-18, 10-6) fought hard to split a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) doubleheader with Manchester University (9-26, 5-11) on Wednesday afternoon in North Manchester. Manchester took game 1 by a score of 6-5, while Game 2 was won by the Ravens 6-5 in 10 innings.

Game 1: Manchester 6, Anderson 5

In Game 1, the Raven bats were not awake yet not getting a hit until the top of the third inning. Going into the sixth down 2-0, the Ravens were able to push across three runs thanks to a three-run home run from Rene Casas Jr. to take the lead, 3-2.

The Ravens also scored two more in the top of the eighth on two fielder's choice plays to go up 5-2.

It wouldn't be enough though as Manchester battled back to score four in the bottom of the eighth and hold onto the 6-5 lead through the top of the ninth.

Inside the Box Score

• Rene Casas Jr. - 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, Run
• Brady Reed - 1-3, Double, Run
• Connor Gordon - 2-4, 1 RBI
• Chandler Wise - 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 K's

Game 2: Anderson 6, Manchester 5 (F/10)

The Ravens found themselves down 5-0 after five innings. In the top of the sixth, Jed Downham led off with a walk, followed by a single from Jake Stank and a walk from T.J. Price  to load the bases. With one out in the inning, Downham scored on a wild pitch with Price and Stank also advancing bases on the play. Casas Jr. singled in two runs to make it a 5-3 ball game through the top of the sixth.

In the seventh, Tyler Smitherman hit a solo homerun to cut into the deficit some more making it a one-run game, 5-4.

During the eighth, Grahm Reedy dropped down a sacrifice bunt, an error from the Manchester defense allowed Casas Jr. to score to tie the game at five.

In the 10th, Connor Gordon reached on an error by the Manchester third baseman. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Reedy and advanced to third after a groundout from Justin Reed. With two outs in the top of the tenth, Smitherman hit a grounder to third but was safe on the play after an error from the Manchester third baseman, which scored Gordon on the play. Anderson would hold onto the lead through the bottom of the tenth and secure the win.

Evan Doan (6-2) came into the game in the fifth inning and finished it out, earning the win. He allowed five hits, no runs and struck out five batters in five and two-thirds innings.

Inside the Box Score 

• Rene Casas Jr. - 3-5, 2 RBI, Double, 1 Run
• Tyler Smitherman - 1-6, HR
• Justin Reed - 2-5, Double
• Grahm Reedy - 2-5
• Evan Doan (W 6-2) - 5.2 IP, 5 Hits, 0 ER, 5 K's

Up Next

The Ravens battle Transylvania University (13-21, 6-10) in an HCAC doubleheader on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Don Brandon Field.