With the score tied 3-3, Middlebury recorded a four-run sixth inning on its way to 7-4 victory Friday during the opener of a three-game NESCAC West series against Wesleyan on Dresser Diamond at Andrus Field. The two teams return to action Saturday for a doubleheader with the first pitch scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

Middlebury (5-8, 3-1) jumped out to the lead in the top of the second with three runs on three hits. After a lead-off walk, Raj Palekar hit a deep double to left center to bring home Phil Bernstein who walked. Later in the inning, a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out as Jake Turtel singled through the left side to extend the Panthers' lead to two. Spencer Tonies grounded out to first base to bring home Brendan Donohue who singled, giving Middlebury a 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals (13-4, 0-1) cut the deficit to two in the bottom half of the inning. After a wild pitch advanced Eric Jones and Ellis Schaefer,who reached by way of a hit-by-pitch and single, respectively, Andrew Keith hit an infield single to the shortstop to bring home Jones.

Wesleyan, who received votes in this week's national poll, got within one at 3-2 in the home half of the third. With runners on first and third, a delayed steal lead to Matt Jeye crossing home before Nick Micelli was caught stealing in a run down to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Wesleyan tied the contest at 3-3 when Jordan Farber led off with a deep triple to the center field fence. He was brought home to even the score a batter later via a sacrifice fly to left field by Jeye.

The Panthers broke the tie in the top of sixth. With runners on first and second, Donohue's hit dropped in short left-center field for a double to bring home Sam Graf who led off the frame with a single. Two more runs scored in the inning off a Wesleyan error before another Middlebury double down the left-field line by Tonies drove in Turtel to put the visitors ahead by four, 7-3.

Wesleyan had an opportunity to cut the lead in the eighth, but Panther reliever Dylan Takamori worked out of the jam leaving the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Cardinals tacked on a single tally. Miceli singled and moved into scoring position on a Panther miscue. He later scored on a pinch-hit single by Robby Harbison, but it wasn't enough as the next batter flew out to end the game.

Middlebury totaled 11 hits at the plate in the victory, led by Turtel's 3-4 performance with a RBI and a run scored. Donohue went 2-3 with two runs scored, Graf finished 2-5 with a run scored and Tonies went 1-5 with two RBI.

Colby Morris (2-2) picked up the win for the visitors, going 6.1 innings and surrendering three runs on eight hits with three strikeouts. Takamori pitched the final 2.2 innings of relief and gave up one run (unearned) on three hits for his second save of the spring.

The Cardinals totaled 11 hits but left 14 runners on base. Jeye and Keith both went 2-4 with a RBI to lead the Cardinals, while Guy Davidson, Farber, Baratta, Miceli, Schaefer, Harbison and Will O'Sullivan each tallied a hit.

Ethan Rode (3-1) earned the starting nod, striking out struck five and surrendering eight hits. Asher Young  went 3.1 innings in relief and did not allow a run on three hits with four strikeouts.