INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Senior first baseman Tailur Szarenski (Bluffton, Ind.) clouted three singles, one of which plated one of Manchester University's two runs in a 3-2 loss to North Coast Athletic Conference member DePauw University Saturday, March 11.

Braving chilly temperatures at Bishop Chatard High School's field, pitching had the upper hand throughout the series opener. Junior Taylor Kopplin (Westport, Ind.), who was nicked for seven earned runs in four and two-thirds frames by fellow NCAC team Denison University in his
season-opening stint March 5, showed what a difference a week made, keeping the Tigers, winners of five of their first six, off the basepaths throughout his six innings of work. DePauw, improving to 6-1, was handcuffed on just three safeties over the first five frames but finally got to the Spartans' ace in the sixth using a pair of singles and a ground out to put runners on second and third which is where first baseman Joey Plesac got a shot just over a leaping Nick Rush at second to bring in two scores. DePauw added one more in the seventh off senior relief hurler Corey Ferguson (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

Manchester University's offense had just as tough a time figuring out visiting starter Mike Hammel. The senior right-hander was touched for just three hits over the first four home team plate attempts, but, in the fifth, a lead-off single by senior center fielder Chad Schultz (Fair Oaks, Ind.) and a well-place sacrifice bunt by junior designated hitter Alec Trezciak (Charlotte, Mich.) put a runner in scoring position with only one out. Szarenski smacked a shot to right center and coaxed the Tigers' defense into a rundown which saw Schultz race home with the game's first run. After DePauw's three-run answer, the home fans at Dave Alexander Field on Bishop Chatard High School's campus got to their feet in the seventh, as two walks set the table for Trzeciak to drive in a run with a bloop single to left, cutting the deficit to 3-2. However, a double play killed any further comeback in the inning, and a pair of visiting relievers set the final six Manchester University hitters down in order to preserve the win.

The two sides continue the three-game weekend set at Bishop Chatard HS Sunday, March 12 with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.