AUBURNDALE, FL.- The TCNJ baseball team forced a split with Amherst College on Tuesday. Amherst took the first game 5-3 and the Lions bounced back to win game two by a score of 5-4.
 
GAME 1- Amherst 5, TCNJ 3:
 
In game one of this two game set, the TCNJ offense could not find the same rhythm as last night with just four hits and three runs in seven innings. The Lions had opportunities to get back in the game but were unable to capitalize.
 
The Mammoths struck first in the second on a single to left field. TCNJ would answer back in the top half of the third with three runs on two hits and one error. Andrew Fernandez scored on an error by the pitcher after starting the inning off with a triple in the left center gap. After a fielder's choice and a walk, Ryan Goodall poked a two run double over the third baseman's head to extend the TCNJ lead to two.
 
Amherst responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth to retake the lead 4-3. They batted all nine hitters in their lineup despite only having one hit in the inning. Two costly errors in the field and on a pickoff attempt aided the Mammoths to regain the advantage. Two outs into the fourth, freshman Jack Tinkelenberg came in to replace Matt Crawford on the bump.
 
Tinkelenberg would finish the game on the mound for the Lions with a stat line of 2.1 innings with one run, two hits, a strikeout and three walks.
 
Amherst would add another run to their score in the sixth via a rocket single that deflected off Tinkelenberg and into right field to bring their lead to two.
 
In the top of the seventh, the Lions had a chance to tie the game with runners on second and third with two outs. However, a ground ball to second base would ultimately seal game one for the Mammoths.
 
GAME 2- TCNJ 5, Amherst 4 (8 Innings)
 
In yet another game that came down to the wire, Jack Haynes had the answer for the Lions with a walk-off RBI single to beat Amherst 5-4 and force a split with the Mammoths.
 
Ethan Earley got the start for TCNJ on Tuesday. He gave the Lions 5 innings of work with four runs earned on three hits, four walks and four strikeouts.
 
In similar fashion to game one, Amherst scored first in the third inning via a wild pitch. A Jack Felipe single to left center field in the bottom of the fourth scored both Chris Reeder and Goodall, giving the Lions the lead back.
 
In the fifth, Justin Marcario scurried to home plate on a wild pitch to bring the lead to 4-1.
 
Earley handed it over to the bullpen after putting himself in a jam in the sixth. The Lions relievers couldn't hold onto the lead as the Mammoths put up three runs on two hits to knot the game at four.
 
Earning the win for the Lions and keeping the score tied so that they could walk it off was Matt Santos. He went 2.1 innings with no runs, one hit, one walk and two strikeouts to bring his teammates up in the home half of the eighth.
 
A pair of Jack's led the way for TCNJ at the plate in game two between Haynes and Felipe. The two combined on the day 4 for 7 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs.
 
TCNJ will enjoy Wednesday off before matching up against North Park University on Thursday starting at 9:30 AM.