MARION, Ind. - The Marian University baseball team picked up its first Mid-Central College Conference doubleheader sweep of the season as the Knights defeated Indiana Wesleyan University, 10-8 and 7-0, at Wildcat Field on Thursday evening.

The Knights are now 9-13 on the season and 2-2 in MCC play. The sweep was the first for the Knights over IWU on the road since the 2004 season.

A shootout was greeted both teams in game one as the Wildcats jumped out in front with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Knights answered with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the second to tie the score at 2-2. IWU posted a three-spot in the bottom of the second to take a commanding 5-2 lead after two innings of play. The Knights were not about to go quietly as the bats were alive and well.

Junior Todd Ungru hit a solo home run in the top of the third to cut the lead back to 5-3 before a three-run fourth gave MU a 6-5 lead. Junior Bobby Willis, who had a career day, hit an RBI-double down the left field line before senior Tony Goodpaster knocked home a run and a run scored on an error as MU took its first lead.

IWU responded with three of its own in the bottom of the fourth to regain an 8-6 advantage, but single runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings tied the score 8-8 heading into the final frame. Sophomore James Storms scored on an error in the top of the fifth before junior Cory Emmons ripped an RBI-double to knot the score at eight in the sixth.

After holding IWU to no runs in the bottom of the sixth, Willis came through with a two-run single to give the Knights a 10-8 lead and gave sophomore righthander Caleb Small enough room to pick up the victory.

Small threw four innings of relief and allowed three runs, none earned, on five hits and struck out five to improve to 1-1 on the season. The win was the second of his career.

Willis went 4-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored in game one to lead the Knights. Sophomore Evan Schludecker finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while freshman Brett Metcalf also went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Emmons added two hits, while Ungru hit his third homerun of the season.

The second game featured an absolute gem on the hill, while the Knights' bats stayed hot. They scored in each of the first four innings in earning the 7-0 victory.

Willis led off the ballgame by taking a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall for his second homerun of the season and the second of his career. An RBI-single by junior Austin Gibson capped the two-run first inning as the Knights took a quick 2-0 lead.

They added three more in the top of the second as Willis hit an RBI-sacrifice fly to open the scoring. Sophomore Jared Mills and Ungru each had an RBI-single to give the Knights a 5-0 lead after two innings. They added one more in the third on an RBI-ground out by Metcalf, and they added the final run in the top of the fourth on an RBI-sacrifice fly by junior Jake Mullis. That was all senior righthander Patrick Midla would need as he cruised to his first victory of the campaign.

Midla threw a complete game, seven-hit shutout to improve to 1-4 on the season. He struck out four batters and walked just one in the victory.

Gibson went 4-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Knights in game two, while Mills added two hits, an RBI, and two runs scored for MU. Willis went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored in game two.

The Knights will play host to the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at MU Baseball Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. and the doubleheader will air LIVE at www.muknights.com.