MARION, Ind. -- Two days later Indiana Wesleyan University baseball and Spring Arbor (Mich.) University had the same results from 48 hours earlier, a doubleheader split.

Spring Arbor won the first game this afternoon by a 5-3 margin while Indiana Wesleyan convincingly took the nightcap 9-3 for a 2-2 season series split.

In game one, Spring Arbor was able to take advantage of Indiana Wesleyan miscues in the first two innings to pull ahead early 3-0. Spring Arbor scored one run in the first on a throwing error that missed a cutoff and then scored two runs in the second inning after a passed ball on strike three that would have ended the inning. The first three Spring Arbor runs were unearned.

The Cougars continued to score runs early with a single run in the top of the third to lead 4-0.

Indiana Wesleyan used a big three run third inning to draw within one at 4-3. Shortstop Josh Ellis and third baseman Preston Fugita walked to put two on for second baseman Jacob Murphy. He doubled to deep left-center field to score Ellis and later in the inning rightfielder Craig Dollens crushed a two-out double to left-center to chase home Fugita and Murphy for a 4-3 ballgame.

The score remained 4-3 until the sixth when SAU centerfielder Garrett Gordon hit a home run to left field to take a 5-3 advantage.

The Wildcats would stage a two-out seventh inning rally that put the tying run on base. After the first two batters in the inning were retired, catcher Alex Ridlen walked and Craig Dollens reached base on an error. But the rally came to an end as first baseman Peter Engle struck out looking to end the game.

"We had chances but you have to get the big hit against a team like that," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Chad Newhard. "Spring Arbor isn't going to give it to you because they are a good team. You're going to have to go earn it and we didn't do it in game one. We just gave them too much stuff in that game and didn't get the key hit."

Starting pitcher Sam Lewis was the pitcher of record for Indiana Wesleyan. He surrendered five runs -- just two earned -- in 6.0 innings of work. He allowed five hits, walked three, and struck out five Cougars.

"Once Sam settle in, he was pretty good," added Newhard.

Designated hitter Seth White was 2-for-2 while Craig Dollens finished 1-for-2 with a walk and two RBI. Jacob Murphy added a 1-for-4 performance with a run and an RBI and shortstop Josh Ellis was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Game two featured a potent Indiana Wesleyan offense in the second, third, and fourth innings. IWU scored two in the second and fourth innings while adding four runs in the third for an 8-1 lead after four innings.

In the second inning, Seth White reached base on a throwing error in the infield which allowed Peter Engle to score from second base. Josh Ellis came to bat next and doubled to deep right as White scored easily.

The Wildcats piled it on in the third with four more runs. Alex Ridlen singled up the middle which scored Jacob Murphy. Courtesy runner Trey Shigley stole third base and the throw to get him went down the left field line allowing Shigley to score. Centerfielder CJ Sandman later laid down a safety squeeze to score Craig Dollens and Sandmann reached first on a second straight error by the SAU catcher.  The final run of the inning came on a wild pitch as Peter Engle made it a 6-0 game.

"Getting up 6-0 was huge for us," said Newhard about the early lead with Ryne Brown on the mound. "Brown is going to go out there and be a bulldog. He's going to go out there and pitch like there's no score. He had command of three pitches for strikes. Up 6-0 I will take my chances with him on the mound because I know he's going to continue to compete and try to win every pitch. That's what I love about him, his competitiveness."

Dollens provided for the final three runs for Indiana Wesleyan. In the fourth inning, right after Spring Arbor scored their first run, Dollens doubled over the centerfielder's head to score Quinn Nofziger and Trey Shigley to stretch the lead to 8-1.

"The big hit I thought was when we were up 6-1," stated Newhard. "They scored that run and for us to respond right there with that huge two-out, two-run double, that was big for us. (Dollens) been doing that for us all year."

The final IWU run came in the sixth when Dollens crushed a home run to left field.

"We've had guys 1-9 come through but it's nice to have a guy with a presence like that who can change a game with one at bat," said Newhard about Dollens power bat. "It's a good thing to have."

Spring Arbor scored one in the fourth and two in the sixth for their only runs in game two.

Ryne Brown pitched six strong innings for the victory. He allowed three earned runs and scattered six hits and one walk while striking out two. Bryan Beachy pitched a perfect seventh inning in relief as he struck out the side.

Dollens was the hitting star in the win as he was 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, and three RBI. Josh Ellis and Jacob Murphy each went 2-for-3 while Peter Engle was 1-for-2 with a pair of runs score.

"Craig has been doing a real nice job for us in the middle of the lineup," said Newhard. "He had a really good second game with three RBI and leads the MCC in that category. He gives us a presence in the middle of the order and we have guys around him that can hit too. So it's hard to pitch around him because other guys have stepped up."

Indiana Wesleyan returns to the diamond at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 with a home doubleheader versus Marian (Ind.) University at Wildcat Field.

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