TIFFIN, OHIO – While Manchester University got its bats out to the tune of its first double-digit run total of 2017, the big story coming out of a non-conference series win over Ohio Athletic Conference perennial standout Heidelberg University Tuesday, March 21, was pitching.
Sophomore John Magers (Noblesville, Ind.) and junior Garrett Phelps (Covington, Ind.), a pair of right-handers from Coach Rick Espeset's staff, blanked the Student Princes' bats for the first time in a span of 23 games. Magers, earning his first collegiate win, danced around early trouble in route to a solid seven-inning line of only six hits surrendered to go along with two walks issued and one strikeout. Phelps came out of the bullpen in the 8th and limited the home team on its Patriots Park and Peaceful Valley field to two hits while striking out two.
The duo received plenty of support to ensure a third Black and Gold win in the last five games that moved the season record to 3-7. Junior outfielder Eric Knepper (Bremen, Ind.) crushed his second home run of the season and drove in four runs; freshman catcher Joe Gallatin (Muncie, Ind.) doubled as part of a two-hit, one-RBI day; and junior designated hitter Alec Trzeciak (Charlotte, Mich.) tallied two hits and scored two runs to help lead the way to the 11-0 final.
Manchester University resumes a run of four straight games against the OAC Wednesday, March 22. They go to Otterbein University for a 2 p.m. first pitch against the D3Baseball.com No. 21-ranked Cardinals at Fishbaugh Field.