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Millersville, Pa. - It only took one hit for the Millersville baseball team to score three runs in an eighth-inning rally against Philadelphia Thursday afternoon at the Millersville University Baseball Stadium. The charge from two runs down gave the Marauders a 4-2 victory that evened their season record at .500.

The Marauders (17-17), winners of 10 of their last 14, were held in check all afternoon by Philadelphia's Alejandro Martinez. They trailed 2-1 with six outs left. But Corey Phelan, who reached base four times and was one Millersville's few offensive bright spots, drew his second walk of the day to start the eighth inning. Phelan, still feeling the effects of a leg injury suffered two weeks ago, was replaced by Ryan Chesler at first base.

One batter later, Keith Spencer ripped a single past the Philadelphia first baseman, and Chesler sprinted into third base, putting the tying run 90 feet away. Mike DeSanto drew a walk to fill the bases. That walk ended the day for Martinez, and Trevor Dority came in relief. Freshman Jeff Heisey followed DeSanto with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt down the the first base line. First baseman Rob Fisher tried to barehand the ball and force Chesler at home, but Chesler scored easily and Heisey was put out when the ball skirted past Fisher to the hustling Dority.

With the bases loaded and one out, Ryan McCormick was plunked by a curveball, allowing Spencer to jog in for the go-ahead run. One out later, Derek Kline picked up an RBI and gave the Marauders some added insurance when he drew an RBI walk.

Boasting a 4-2 lead, Millersville coach Jon Shehan called on closer Zach Eckley. Making his third appearance in four days, Eckley mowed down the Rams in order to notch his fourth save in the last two weeks.

Millersville also received scoreless innings of relief work from Andrew Hunt and Aaron Wilkins. Hunt, who pitched the eighth, picked up his first win of the season.

Jason S. Long, making just his second start of the year and his first appearance since March 24, pitched five scoreless innings before giving up two runs--one earned--in the sixth. It was a workmanlike no decision for the sophomore, who scattered seven hits, walked one and struck out one.

Millersville took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Kent Gerdes that scored from second base. Boyd and Spencer joined Phelan with two hits apiece.

The Marauders have an off-weekend from PSAC East play, but travel to Indiana (Pa.) on Sunday for a crossover doubleheader.