STEVENSON, Md. – Stevenson University and Hood College split a MAC Commonwealth baseball doubleheader at Sugar Field on Saturday afternoon.  The Mustangs recorded a 4-3 win in the opener, before the Blazers rallied for a 10-9 win in the nightcap.

Hood (9-14, 4-8 MAC Commonwealth) staked itself to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the opener, before the Mustangs (12-15, 5-7 MAC Commonwealth) plated two runs in the second and third innings to take a 4-2 lead.  The Blazers grabbed a run back in the sixth but got no closer.

In the second, junior Michael Rhodes reached on a one-out fielding error and scored on a single by sophomore Connor Wasilnak.  A single by freshman Brady Kessler tied the game 2-2 when Jordan Moore scored after he reached on a one out single.

With two outs in the third, senior Kevin Kopas walked, followed by a Billy Small single.  Rhodes doubled through the right side to bring both runners home and make it 4-2.

Sophomore Dan Williams improved to 4-1 on the mound, going the distance and scattering eight hits while surrendering three runs (two earned).  He struck out three and walked three.  Both teams had eight hits in the game, with Small going 2-3.

In game two, Stevenson went into the seventh with a 9-5 lead before the Blazers scored five times in the top of the seventh.  Hood banged out six hits and took advantage of a pair of Mustang errors as the hosts used three pitchers in the inning.

Stevenson loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth.  Junior Jake Dimon walked and was lifted for pinch runner Kevin Murray, Jr.  After a sac bunt, Moore and junior Jake Hall worked back-to-back walks to load the bases, but a 6-4-3 double play ended the threat and the game.

A Kopas double in the first followed by a two-run Small single gave Stevenson a 3-0 first inning lead.  Hood got three runs back in the fourth, before the Mustangs responded with a five spot in the bottom half to take an 8-3 lead.  Hall belted a three-run home run, while Kopas and Small each had RBI singles.  Hood cut the gap to 8-5 with two runs in the fifth.

Stevenson's ninth run came when Hall worked a leadoff walk in the sixth, moved to third on a Matthew Kerber single, and scored on a double play.

Kopas and Small each had two hits as Hood outhit the Mustangs 13-8.  Senior Matt Phillips took the loss in relief, coming in in the seventh.  Freshman Zach Kaye went the first five innings, allowing seven hits and striking out two while walking three.

Stevenson returns to action on Sunday when it travels to Lynchburg College for a 1:00 non-league doubleheader.