ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - The Marian College baseball team overcame seven errors in its doubleheader against No. 24-ranked Dickinson State University to pull off an exciting sweep over the Blue Hawks in Ormond Beach, Florida on Monday.

After falling in their season opener on Sunday, the Knights looked to jump on the Blue Hawks but were unable to put anything together in the first inning of game one. However, DSU posted a four-spot on the Knights to take a 4-0 lead after one inning of play. The Knights battled in each inning and finally found the breakthrough in the top of the fourth.

The Knights loaded the bases with one out and freshman Bennett Bensman (Indianapolis/Scecina) walked in the first run. An RBI-fielder's choice by sophomore Rick Parrish (Avon, Indiana/Avon) was followed by a two-run double by junior Chad Morris (Lebanon, Indiana/Vermont) to tie the score, 4-4.

The game went to extra innings until the top of the ninth when freshman Aaron Wilder (Decatur, Indiana/Bellmont) scored on a throwing error to give the Knights the 5-4 victory.

After allowing four runs on four hits in the first inning, senior righthander Steve Swain (Danville, Indiana/Danville) scattered just four more hits in eight shutout innings to earn his first complete game victory in 2008. Swain walked just two and struck out one batter en route to the victory.

In the day's second game, the Knights opened quickly with a single run in the bottom of the first and third innings to take a quick 2-0 lead. Senior Rashard Graves (Indianapolis/Akron) brought senior Kevin Shepherd (Fortville, Indiana/Ancilla JC) in to score on a sacrifice fly in the first. Junior transfer Kyle Cox (Indianapolis/Butler) also brought Shepherd home in the third with a sacrifice fly to give Marian the 2-0 lead.

A pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth on a pair of RBI-singles by Graves and Shepherd staked sophomore righthander Mike Keltz (Avon, Indiana/Avon), who was throwing a solid outing through five innings, a 4-0 lead.

However, two walks and two hit batters brought home a pair of runs for DSU in the top of the sixth before the wheels fell off for the Knights. The Blue Hawks plated six more runs to take an 8-4 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth. The game looked bleak for the Knights, but the young Marian squad was not going to go down without a fight.

The Knights posted a three-spot in the bottom of the sixth to answer DSU. Three walks and two hit batters brought home the first two runs of the inning and an RBI-sacrifice fly by Cox closed the gap to one, 8-7, heading into the final inning. An unearned run scored in the top of the seventh opened DSU's lead to two, 9-7, with the Knights coming to bat.

A leadoff single by Parrish opened the inning and he advanced to second on a wild pitch. An RBI-single by senior Josh Gerald (Frankfort, Indiana/Frankfort) cut the gap to one, 9-8, with only one out. A double by Shepherd put runners on second and third with one out and set the stage for drama to unfold.

An intentional walk to Goodpaster loaded the bases for the Knights. Freshman Jake Mullis (Coatesville, Indiana/North Putnam) walked home the tying run and freshman Ryan Scrogham (Covington, Indiana/Covington) battled back from a 0-2 count to walk home the game-winning run and give the Knights the 10-9 victory.

While the bats were not on fire, Gerald led the Knights with a 3-for-6 day that included an RBI-single and a flawless display behind the plate as he threw out three DSU base runners trying to steal. Shepherd led the Knights from the leadoff spot in game two as he went 2-for-2 with two walks, five runs scored, and two stolen bases.

The Knights continue their Florida trip with a doubleheader on Tuesday in Ormond Beach, Florida. The Knights open the twinbill at 10 a.m. when they battle the Jimmies of Jamestown College and close out the day with a 1 p.m. game against St. Xavier University. Each game is slated for seven innings.