The Bearcats split a high-scoring doubleheader at home against Presidents' Athletic Conference leader Thomas More.

SVC won the first game by a score of 12-11 in ten innings, then lost the nightcap, 17-14.

In the opener, the Bearcats started strong, scoring three runs, with a Kenny Primeaux single bringing home two and a one-base hit by Adam Miller scoring one. 

Thomas More got on the board in the top of the second, but the Bearcats answered right back.  Sam Manna led the frame off with a single.  He then stole second, and scored on an RBI single by Mark Shouey.

SVC scored once more in the third inning, when Miller started the inning with a triple to the fence in right center, and was plated by a Mike Christiansen single.

The visiting Saints again countered, with three runs in the fourth and one in the fifth, tying  it at five, before the Bearcats regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to a two run home run for Mike Christiansen, the first of the freshman's career.

Both teams scored once in the sixth, and then the Saints picked up one run in the eighth and two in the top of the ninth to take a 10-8 lead.

As was the theme of the game, the Bearcats again mounted a rally, loading the bases with no outs.  Chris Zampogna then walked, forcing in a run and pulling SVC to within one.  Rob Galis then followed with an RBI single of his own, tying the game.  Pinch runner Anthony Williams, who was on second, attempted to score, but was thrown out on a perfect relay.  With two outs and the bases still jammed, Shouey sent a shot into the gap, but it was tracked down on a diving catch by Thomas More centerfielder Marc Price.

With a run in the top of the 10th, the Saints again pulled ahead, but the Bearcats rallied once more, loading the bases with one out.  Miller, who singled, scored on a wild pitch, tying the game.  With two outs, Zampogna was intentionally walked, loading the bases once again for Galis, who singled just inside the third base bag, scoring Fragello and ending the game.

The Bearcats totaled 22 hits on the day, led by a 5-6 performance by Miller.  Christiansen and Weimer each had three hits, while Manna, Shouey, and Galis had two apiece.  Stephen Cherry picked up the win for SVC, pitching 1 2/3 innings in relief.

SVC started off hot in the nightcap, as well, with Weimer picking up an RBI single and Miller scoring two with a double to centerfield.  Like the day's first game, however, Thomas More evened it back up with three runs in the top of the second.

The hosts then exploded for five runs in the bottom of the third, with Adams and Shouey each picking up two-run doubles and Manna an RBI single as the Bearcats sent nine men to the plate.

Thomas More countered with 13 runs, thanks to three homers, over the next two innings to go up 16-8.

Saint Vincent refused to go away, scoring four runs, all with two outs, in the bottom of the fifth, on singles by Weimer and Miller and a double by Primeaux, to pull to within four at 16-12.

After holding the Saints scoreless in the top of the sixth, the Bearcats loaded the bases to start off the bottom half, but were only able to score once, on a fielders choice by Shouey, to make the score 16-13.

Primeaux led off the seventh with a double off the left field fence, advanced to third on a walk, and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Adams.  It was the last of the offense for the Bearcats, however, and, Thomas More, after scoring once in the eighth, left Latrobe with a 17-14 victory.

Miller again led the way offensively for the Bearcats, going 3-4 with four RBIs.  Weimer went 3-5 with three runs and three RBI's, and Manna, Shouey and Zampogna each had two hits. 

Darren Smith started and took the loss on the mound for the Bearcats, while Aaron Farris earned the win for Thomas More.

After the split, SVC's record stands at 13-14, while Thomas More moves to 18-8.  The Bearcats return to action on Tuesday, hosting Penn State-Fayette at 3:30pm at Bearcat Ballfield

PHOTO: The Bearcats' Sam Manna collects one of his five hits in SVC's twinbill with Thomas More.