North Manchester, Ind. - Senior Mitch Frey (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) collected two hits, but it was not enough as the Franklin College baseball team lost its Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference series opener 8-1 on Friday afternoon at Manchester University.

Manchester got a solo home run in the first inning to grab the early lead. The Spartans plated two runs in the third and scored four times in the fifth inning to take a 7-0 advantage.

The Grizzlies got on the scoreboard in the ninth inning on a throwing error by the Spartans that allowed senior Jameson Brock (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) to score. Franklin loaded the bases in the eighth inning behind singles from freshman Jackson Freed (Westfield, Ind./Westfield) and Frey. A fielding error by the Spartans allowed the third runner of the inning to reach base. However, a groundout ended the scoring opportunity.

Franklin will conclude the weekend series and the 2015 season with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 2 at noon. Live statistics and video of both games will be available.