NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. – A five-run rally over the third and fourth innings helped bolster Manchester University to a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference series opening win over Bluffton University Saturday, March 29.

MU (8-9 overall, 2-2 HCAC) took advantage of a passed ball, wild pitcher and fielding error to plate two runs in the second. Senior outfielder Ryne Lehrman (Hoagland, Ind.) and junior infielder Logan Hug (Indianapolis, Ind.) combined for three RBIs an inning later with Hug delivering the key two-out single up the middle to score Lehrman and sophomore catcher Derek Lamle (Columbia City, Ind.).

The early-innings' offensive attack was more than enough for senior starting pitcher Temujin Sery (Fort Wayne, Ind.). Moving to 2-0 against the league with a minute 0.50 earned run average and 18 strikeouts in two complete-game wins, he allowed only one run on nine hits while striking out nine to sew up the 6-1 Spartans' win. After BU (7-10 overall, 0-4 HCAC) tallied a run in the second, Sery was touched for only five hits over the next seven frames.

The Spartans and Beavers continue their weekend set at Gratz Field Sunday, March 30. First pitch for the doubleheader is 12 p.m.

NOTES: Hug registered his second multiple-RBI game of the year … Junior infielder Trevor Kimm (Anderson, Ind.) and junior outfielder Justin Miller (Yorktown, Ind.) also joined Hug in multiple-hit contests with two hits each just as Hug recorded … It was the ninth straight win in the all-time series for the Black and Gold.