PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Swarthmore College baseball team split its double-header against Wittenberg University and Mitchell College on Wednesday afternoon. The Garnet held on to defeat Wittenberg, 16-15, in a wild opener, but dropped this afternoon's finale to Mitchell, 13-3.

Michael Sepe put together a big afternoon at the dish with five hits, three RBI, two runs and a home run. 

SWARTHMORE 16, WITTENBERG 15
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Tigers struck first with a run in the first inning, but the Garnet responded with two in the second inning to take the lead. Sam Jacobson singled in a run to open the scoring, while Swarthmore plated a second run on a wild pitch, 2-1.

- Wittenberg tied the game up in the third, but were met with a crooked number in the bottom of the frame as the Garnet put up 11 runs in the inning. Austin Burgess and George Briggs started off the scoring with RBI singles, before the team plated another run on an error. Jacobson and Max Roffwarg then singled in a pair of runs each, while Sepe singled to right field to take an eight-run lead, 10-2.

- Later in the third inning, Burgess collected his second and third RBI of the frame with a double to left-center field. Briggs then plated Burgess with a single to center field to cap off Swarthmore's big inning, 13-2.

- After getting a run back in the fourth, Wittenberg combined for 10 runs in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game. The Garnet then regained the lead with a two-run homer from Sepe in the bottom half of the seventh, 15-13.

- The Tigers cut its deficit in half with a run in the eighth inning, but the Garnet got the run back in the bottom half of the frame. Andrew Olsen advanced to second base on a failed pickoff attempt, before coming home to score on a throwing error. Wittenberg threatened with one run in the ninth, but were unable to overtake the Garnet, 16-15. 

GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Sepe: 4-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 R, HR
Burgess: 3-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2B, BB
Jacobson: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, R

GARNET PITCHING LEADERS
Kyle Jones-Shah (SV, 1), 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H
 

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SWARTHMORE 3, WITTENBERG 13
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Wittenberg opened the game with 13-unanswered runs as they held the Garnet scoreless for six innings. 

- Joe Radek and Briggs opened the sixth inning with consecutive singles. Josh Bein then singled through the right side to load the bases with no outs. The Garnet then scored a pair of runs on a throwing error before Evan Johnson grounded out to plate another run, 13-3.

GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Sepe: 1-for-2, BB
Radek: 1-for-3, R

UP NEXT
The Garnet (5-8) return north on Friday at Widener University.