Justin Manning went 3-for-4 with an RBI but it was not to overcome a late rally as the 13th-ranked University of Mount Olive fell to No. 2 Lander University 7-2 in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Scarborough field for non-conference baseball. The Bearcats put up five runs in the eighth retaking the lead and splitting the series.

Mount Olive (1-1) was able to keep Lander (1-1) off the boards in the first as the Trojans retired the Bearcats in order. Joe Koehler led off the Trojans with a walk and advanced to third on two ground outs. Back-to-back walks allowed the bases to be loaded with Koehler at third, Rob Shipman at second, and Chris Leduc on first. Manning came up and got the Trojans first base hit with two away to plate Koehler and Mount Olive was on the scoreboard.

Lander responded in the third. After a walk to Colby Lusignan and a two out single by Taylor Kellner, Matt White found a hole on the right side of the Trojan defense and plated the tying run.

The Trojans took back the lead in their half of the fourth. Brett Lang led off the inning and was hit by a pitch. DeAndre Allen reached on a throwing error by the Lander shortstop and Lang went to third on the play. Koehler hit a ball deep enough to score Lang and Mount Olive regained the lead 2-1.

The middle innings remained quiet until the eighth for Lander. Will Jones lead off the inning as he was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a single by Kellner. Jones and Kellner moved into scoring position on a passed ball.

After a walk, Painter singled into left and plated two as Kellner and Jones came in. A walk loaded the bases again and Zach Daly walked in a Run. Zach Giczewski brought in a run after he was hit by a pitch. Chris Hyatt reached on a fielder's choice and picked up the RBI as Weston Lawing came in and Lander's big inning came to a close with five runs coming across the plate.

Mount Olive was unable to spark the offense for the final two innings.

Hunter Barnett (0-1) was credited with the loss in relief as he allowed three runs off two hits. Starter Gunnar Kines went six and a third allowing one run off five hits. Kines finished every inning on the mound with a strikeout except for the fifth and finished with six strikeouts.

Taylor Alvarez (1-0) picked up the win in relief throwing three and two thirds and allowed one run off three hits.

Mount Olive is back on the diamond on Tuesday as the Trojans Host Saint Augustine's in a single nine inning match-up. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.