The Oglethorpe baseball team split a Saturday afternoon doubleheader with Hendrix on Anderson Field, winning the first game, 4-0, and falling in the second, 4-2. 

In Game 1, the Petrels got a first-inning run when right fielder Nick Manai singled to left with one out, then came all the way around from first to score on a dropped fly ball error by the Hendrix right fielder, giving Oglethorpe an early 1-0 lead.

The one-run lead held up until the fifth, when the Petrels doubled their advantage. Left fielder Will Hanna singled to lead off the inning, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by center fielder Vernon Trice. Hanna then advanced to third on a balk, then scored on a two-out Manai single to give Oglethorpe a 2-0 lead.

That was more than enough for Oglethorpe starter Cory Leff, who allowed no runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four, walked two and hit a batter. 

The Petrels added on in the seventh with a two-out rally. Shortstop Spencer Transue singled and stole second, then scored on a Hendrix error. Manai reached second on the error, and scored on an RBI single from catcher Jeff Brothers, giving the Petrels a four-run lead.

Leff picked up the win, improving to 2-5 on the season. Manai had the best game at the plate for the Petrels, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs, and an RBI. Brothers went 2-for-4 with an RBI. 

In Game 2, the Petrels again got off to a good start, plating two runs in the first to take a 2-1 lead after Hendrix got off to a 1-0 lead in the top half of the inning. Oglethorpe got three straight one-out hits: singles from right fielder Manai and designated hitter Brothers, and a double from second baseman Keith Dearden, to tie the game. Then, first baseman Leff came through with a sacrifice fly, scoring Brothers and giving the Petrels the lead. 

The Petrels, however, managed only three hits the rest of the way in the seven-inning ballgame, getting one more man to third base but stranding him. Meanwhile, Hendrix scored twice in the third to take the lead, and scored once in the fourth for an insurance run. The Petrels were unable to score again, and the two-run Warriors lead held up.

Emmett Goodman suffered the loss for the Petrels in Game 2, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks over just 3 1/3 innings. He struck out three Warriors and uncorked a wild pitch, as well. 

Catcher Hunter Riley was 1-for-2 with a walk, while Dearden went 1-for-3 with an RBI double, and Leff was 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly.

The results of the day move the Petrels to 13-24 on the season, 7-13 in SAA competition. Hendrix clinched at least fifth place in the league with the win, but the Oglethorpe win coupled with a Centre loss to Sewanee earlier in the day means the Petrels clinch sixth place in the league. They will travel to the No. 1 seed next weekend for the first weekend of SAA Tournament play.

First, however, they will complete this three-game series with Hendrix Sunday at noon. It will be Senior Day, and the Oglethorpe baseball program will honor the careers of seniors Nick Manai, Jeff Brothers, Emmett Goodman and Cory Leff.