WESTFIELD, IND. – Getting positive results from its pitching and offensive attacks, Manchester University got its 2014 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference campaign off to a strong start Friday, March 21.

Senior starter Temujin Sery (Fort Wayne, Ind.) was superb in the weekend series' opener against Hanover College. He fired nine frames of nine-hit ball, being touched for just two earned runs and striking out nine as part of the 7-2 Spartans' win.

MU's offense gave its pitcher plenty to work with. Sophomore catcher Elliott Ford (Rome City, Ind.) and freshman first baseman Tailur Szarenski (Bluffton, Ind.) each drilled home runs. Szarenski's first collegiate round tripper was part of a sparkling two-for-three effort that included two runs scored and two RBIs. He was one of five Spartans to end the game with multiple-hit contests joining junior shortstop Trevor Kimm (Anderson, Ind.), junior outfielder Justin Miller (Yorktown, Ind.), junior third baseman Logan Hug (Indianapolis, Ind.) and sophomore outfielder Chad Gindelberger (South Bend, Ind.) who also produced two-hit efforts. Miller also added a multiple-RBI game, along with Szarenski, as he drove in two runs.

MU (7-7 overall, 1-0 HCAC) continues its weekend series with the Panthers (4-7, 0-1 HCAC)  at Grand Park of the Westfield Sports Complex Saturday, March 22. First pitch is 10 a.m.

NOTES: The Spartans have won 23 of their last 26 in conference play and against Hanover in the all-time standings … Senior designated hitter Dan Maringer (Fort Wayne, Ind.) stretched his on-base streak to 13 successive contests.