BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Northampton baseball team split their Region 19 doubleheader with 9th ranked Brookdale Community College to open their three game series on Sunday afternoon at Spartan Park.

The Spartans fell to the Jersey Blues, 8-6, in game one and rebounded to take game two, 12-8, to earn the doubleheader split.

The Spartans and Jersey Blues are scheduled to conclude the series on Monday at Brookdale Community College with game three scheduled for 3:30pm.

"Good day of baseball today," explained Spartans Head Coach Adrian Yaguez, "Always a battle when we get on the field with Brookdale and this was a good test for our squad. I like how we fought back today and just kept playing hard. We were down early in our first game and battled back and right to the end. We flipped the script in the second game and took the early lead and battled to hold on and pull out the win. Those are good signs for us as we find our way. Good things to build on as we move forward."

GAME ONE - LOST 8-6

The Spartans fell behind, 7-0, after two innings in game one of the doubleheader, and trailed, 8-0, going into the bottom of the 7th inning. The Spartans were able to push 6 runs across and had runners on second and third when Brookdale recorded the final out by strikeout to stop the rally and slip past the Spartans for the win, 8-6

Ben Warner (Alexandria, VA/Alexandria City (VA)) (0-3) suffered the loss on the mound. Brad Rissmiller (Nazareth, PA/Pen Argyl) kept the Spartans in the game with 4 innings of strong relief, allowing 1 run on 1 hit with 4 strikeouts.

Danny Qualteria (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) was 2-4 with an RBI and Zack Schaedel (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) was 2-3 for the Spartans. Shane Henrick (Blue Bell, PA/Wissahickon) was 1-3 with a double as the Spartans offense was limited to 5 hits in the loss.

GAME TWO - WON 12-8

The Spartans jumped out from the start in game two, scoring 7 runs and holding a, 7-2, lead after the first inning. The Spartans and Jersey Blues went back and forth with the Spartans able to extend their lead to, 12-5, after six innings of play. The Jersey Blues plated 3 runs in the top of the 7th innings but the Spartans were able to shut the door and seal the win, 12-8.

Juan Cruz (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) (3-0) picked up the win on the mound for the Spartans with 5 innings of strong relief, scattering 4 hits while only allowing 3 runs, and striking out 4.

Drew Mulligan (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Carroll) helped lead the 10-hit attack for the Spartans, going 3-4  with 2 RBI and 2 stolen bases. Josh Brancy (Sparta. NJ/Sparta (NJ)) was 2-4 with an RBI and Zack Schaedel (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. John Pushkar (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) contributed with a 2-3 day at the plated and 3 RBI.

The Spartans, who Received Votes in the NJCAA national poll earlier in the week, improve to 9-7 overall and 4-2 in Region 19.

The 9th ranked Jersey Blues are now 10-4 overall and 5-3 in the Region.

The teams will look to wrap up their Region 19 series on Monday when the Spartans travel to Lincroft, New Jersey to take on the Jersey Blues at 3:30pm at the Brookdale Baseball Complex.