In an early-season litmus test against one of the best teams in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Miles showed that it has the gumption to stay the course and be among the elite in the chase for the conference crown. The Golden Bears (17-6, 10-4 SIAC) scored in the final at-bat of the last two games of the three-game set against Spring Hill to earn a series win over the Badgers (15-11, 11-4)

The first game did not go so well for the Golden Bears. Spring Hill scored the first six runs of the game and led 8-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Gregory Willis had a two-run double and Marquis Mitchell had a pinch-hit RBI single to bring Miles closer before the Badgers took the opening game of the series by an 8-4 final.

The second game of the doubleheader was a pitchers duel as Jaelyn Rhynes (5-0) outlasted Ray Ochoa (2-1). Rhynes allowed just five hits - all singles - and one walk while striking out two hitters to keep the Badgers out of the score column. Ochoa was doing similar work but he blinked first and the Golden Bears took advantage. 

Mitchell started the bottom of the seventh with a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a ground out. Michael Smith, who had the only two hits for Miles in the game, was at the plate when Ochoa uncorked a wild pitch that went through the legs of the catcher. Mitchell scurried home with the game-winning run and set off a big celebration near home plate.

It did not look as if Miles would be able to enjoy a similar celebration in the rubber match on Sunday. The Golden Bears trailed the Badgers 4-1 going into the eighth but ended up taking the lead. Willis led off with a double and went to third on an Ajani Lyons Single. As Lyons stole second, the ball went into center field, allowing Willis to score. One out later, Kaleb Raston singled to center, advancing Lyons to third.

Mitchell pinch-hit again and laid down an excellent squeeze bunt that allowed Lyons to score and Raston - who saw no one was covering the bag - moved up to third base. Antwan Jackson was kit by a pitch and Landon Whitehead was walked by Alex Dicke to tie the game at 4. On the next pitch, Malachi Jeffries beat out a potential double play that allowed Raston to score to put Miles on top.

In the ninth, Byron Willis came in and got the first out before allowing a single to John Webb. As Webb took off to try and steal second, Alex Roux lofted a short fly to left that was being pulled away from Trace Spann in left field by a gusting wind. Spann was able to charge in and make the catch before delivering a strike to Willis at first for a game-ending double play that set off another wild celebration by the Golden Bears.

Miles is back in action on Saturday as it begins a three-game series with a doubleheader at Morehouse. First pitch is set for noon.