SPRING ARBOR, Mich. -- Indiana Wesleyan University baseball used a stirring seventh inning rally to win coming from behind and in the process hand Spring Arbor (Mich.) University its first loss of the season today as both teams opened Mid-Central College Conference play in Spring Arbor, Michigan.

The two teams would each gain a victory on Tuesday in the doubleheader split as each team won in their final at bat. IWU won the opener 3-2 while SAU took the nightcap 5-4.

In the opener the Wildcats had been handcuffed through six innings by Cougar starting pitcher Jerry Ferris. He had allowed zero runs and just a fifth inning single to first baseman Peter Engle as SAU led 2-0 entering the seventh inning.

But Indiana Wesleyan (9-12, 1-1 MCC) rallied as designated hitter Javier Aponte and Peter Engle each singled with one out. Shortstop Josh Ellis singled home Javier Aponte and put the tying run in scoring position with two outs. Third baseman Preston Fugita then delivered another clutch hit to score Peter Engle and tie the game 2-2 on a close play at the plate.

Seth White entered as a pinch hitter and beat out an infield single to score the go-ahead run for a 3-2 lead. The Wildcats scored three runs on five hits in the decisive seventh inning to take the lead.

Wildcat starter Michael Caley would pitch a scoreless seventh inning to cap the come from behind victory. Caley surrendered single runs in each of the first two innings before not allowing a run over the final five innings. He allowed two runs on four hits in the complete game effort.

Peter Engle was the only player on either side with multiple hits as he was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Javier Aponte was 1-for-2 with a run and Josh Ellis finished 1-for-3 with a run and one RBI.

The victory snapped the Spring Arbor (16-1, 1-1 MCC) 15-game win streak to start the season.

Indiana Wesleyan nearly earned the road sweep in game two. IWU scored four runs in the fifth inning to capture a 4-2 lead. Indiana Wesleyan took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh before Spring Arbor gave IWU a piece of its own medicine. Spring Arbor scored two runs in the seventh to earn the come from behind victory, 5-4.

Second baseman Jacob Murphy paced the Wildcats in game two from the leadoff position. Murphy was 2-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and a run scored. Preston Fugita hit 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI while Peter Engle was 2-for-3 with a run.

Shane Bryant was the pitcher of record for Indiana Wesleyan. The starter went six plus innings before being pulled in the seventh for Bryan Beachy. Bryant allowed five earned runs over 6.0 innings on 10 hits. He walked just one and struck out four Cougars.

Indiana Wesleyan and Spring Arbor will quickly renew acquaintances at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Wildcat Field.