FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Saturday afternoon the University of Saint Francis Cougars (25-23; 14-18 Crossroads) wrapped up their four-game road series against the Marian University Knights (24-22; 16-16 Crossroads) on the road in Indianapolis, and split the two games losing the opener 11-10 in heartbreaking fashion before winning the finale 13-8.

The first game was a true thriller. Sophomore Casey Henry started on the mound for the Cougars and was given an early lead as the Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly.

But in the bottom of the frame, the Knights answered back with a two-run double with one out to give Marian the lead 2-1. From there a seesaw battle ensued with both teams exchanging blows.

Both teams each scored a run in the third and then went scoreless in the fourth and fifth as the game went to the bottom of the sixth with Marian on top 4-2.

Then in the bottom of the frame, the Knights got to Henry as a leadoff double and intentional walk set the table for Marian. Henry's day was finished after that as he allowed six runs in five-plus innings pitched. What followed was a two-run double and then a two-run home run to plate four more runs for the Knights as the Cougars now trailed 8-2.

However, a bases-loaded walk in the seventh brought them one step closer, and then in the eighth the Cougars turned the tide.

Freshman Sam Pesa sparked Saint Francis with a solo home run to open the inning and then six batters later the Cougars had plated three more runs and still had the bases loaded with nobody out, now down by just one.

Then with one out, consecutive RBI-hits by David Miller and Sam Pesa drove home two more runs as the Cougars plated six in the inning and came all the way back now leading 9-8.

Saint Francis added an insurance run in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 10-8, but in the bottom of the frame with just three outs to go, the Cougars could not find that last out. With two outs and the tying the winning runs on, consecutive singles by the Knights won the game 11-10 as the Cougars suffered the heartbreaking loss.

In the finale, the Cougars had freshman Cory Wolter starting but the Knights scored a couple in the bottom of the first to take an early 2-0 lead. But in the top of the third, the Cougars went to work with the bats, scoring three times to take a 3-2 lead on RBI-singles from David Miller and Sam Pesa.

Then in the fifth, the Cougars put the game away with a 10-spot. Xavier Nolan walked to open the frame and then six straight hits followed and five more runs as the Cougars extended their lead to 7-2. A bases-loaded walk for Jose Valdes-Sandoval followed and then up came David Miller. 

The senior slugger hammered a grand slam to dead center field for the second grand slam of the season for the Cougars, and Miller's 11th home run of the season. He finished the game going 3-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored and six RBI's. 

At the end, they led 13-2, but four runs for the Knights capped with a bases-clearing double made it 13-6 finishing the freshman hurler's day after four and two-third innings. 

But the fifth inning proved to be the turning point as the Cougars bullpen came in shut the door on the Knights to claim the game 13-8 and earn the split. 

The Cougars resume play on Friday afternoon when they travel to Mishawaka, Indiana for their final four-game road series of the season against the Bethel University Pilots (21-26; 15-16 Crossroads) with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm.