Jamie Lackner

Nanak Saran

The College of Wooster scored a run in the top of the eighth and it held up as the game-winner as the Fighting Scots' pitching staff stranded an Allegheny College runner in scoring position for the third-straight inning to prevail 3-2 during game one of the North Coast Athletic Conference East Division rivals' series, but the Gators came back to earn the split with a 4-2 decision in the nightcap Sunday at Pullman Park in Butler, Pa.

After Nanak Saran worked out of a significant jam in the sixth – runners on second and third with one out – and a smaller one in the seventh – runner on second with two outs – to keep the opener tied 2-2, Wooster (12-2, 1-1 NCAC East) produced the decisive score in the eighth.

Frank Vance drew a four-pitch walk, Jamie Lackner followed with a single, and with one out, Joey Gilmore walked, also coming on just four pitches, to load the bases. The game-winner, scored by Lackner, came in when Tyler Schuch reached safely via a fielding error by the shortstop.

Allegheny (7-6, 1-1 NCAC East) attempted to rally against Scot closer Michael Whitaker, as it managed to get the tying run on third and the winning run to second with two outs. Whitaker induced a fly out, though, to secure the first game and his second save of the year. Saran, a freshman, earned his first collegiate win (1-0).

Wooster's initial scoring came in the third inning, keyed by Kevin Hagen's leadoff triple. Hagen trotted home via a catcher's interference play, and following a sacrifice bunt from Ian Vernier, Jake Fling singled in Kenny Reckart.

In game two, the Gators' Joe Killian hit RBI doubles in both the first and third innings to fuel a 4-0 lead.

The Scots nearly came back. In the fifth, pinch hitter Drew Tornow singled with one out, then Vance walked and Lackner brought home Tornow via a base knock. John McLain kept the rally alive with an RBI single, and on the throw to the plate, he advanced to second and Lackner to third. Gilmore battled his way to a walk, thus loading the bases, however, Wooster could do no further damage.

In the seventh, Lackner singled with one out to bring the tying run to the plate, only to see Jameson Murray close it out for Allegheny.

Lackner and Jacob Shick of the Gators each had four-hit days, with the former going 4-for-8 and the latter 4-for-7, while Killian combined to go 3-for-5 with four RBI.

The two teams will compete their annual four-game set on Monday, this time with a doubleheader taking place at Eastwood Field in Niles, Ohio, beginning at noon.