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Millersville, Pa. - Millersville's long-awaited home opener ended in a close 6-5 loss to Indiana (Pa.), but the Marauders rallied for a 5-1 win in game two behind Steven Ghiardi's pitching effort and an early two-run home run from Dan Neff.

Freshman Chas McCormick went 4-for-6 in the doubleheader and scored four runs, including three in the opener. Ghiardi (1-0) was outstanding in his first career start. He carried a no hitter into the fifth inning and the only hit he allowed was a solo homer. He also struck out six.

The Marauder bullpen was solid in both games. Jesse Mowen struck out four in two shutout innings in game two. Cody Stoneback and Josh Mellon combined to throw 3.2 scoreless in the first game, allowing Millersville an opportunity for a late rally.

IUP (5-7) ran out its No. 1 and No. 2 starters in Kyle Zaorski and Kyle Zambanini despite starting PSAC Western Division play on Friday. The Marauders turned to Tanner Rahauser in game one of Thursday's twinbill. In his first start of the season, Rahauser was a victim of a throwing error in the first but still carried a 3-1 lead into the fourth inning.

That's when it came apart for Rahauser and the Marauders. Three doubles, a single, a hit-by-pitch and a walk chased Rahauser from the game. IUP scored five runs in the inning, but Millersville scored one in the bottom of the inning on an error, cutting the deficit to 6-4.

Tyler Orris singled in a run in the sixth, but Millersville left the tying run on base. Austin Mock closed the door on the Marauders by working a 1-2-3 seventh.

Millersville retaliated quickly in game two. McCormick led off with a walk and later scored on a Dan Johnson sacrifice fly. Neff's two-run bomb in the second started a four-run inning that included a run that scored on an error and one that came in when Kurt Seiders was hit by a pitch.

The Marauder bats were silenced for the final five innings, but Ghiardi was in control. He allowed only three base runners over the first four innings. It wasn't until Jonathan O'Neill homered to lead off the fifth that IUP recorded a hit off the freshman. Ghiardi walked two more batters in the inning but escaped without further damage. Mowen took care of the final two innings, allowing only one hit. He has now allowed only one hit in four innings of work this season.

Zach Stone recorded a hit in both games, pushing his career total to 212, and he now stands alone in third place on Millersville's career hits list.

The Marauders open PSAC Eastern Division play Friday against defending PSAC Tournament champs East Stroudsburg. All four games of the series will be played at Cooper Park. First pitch is 1 p.m.