Middlebury dropped game one 7-2, but bounced back with an 11-9 win in the nightcap for a NESCAC West split at Wesleyan on Saturday. The Panthers (2-5, 1-4) will host the Cardinals (1-6, 1-6) at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday in the final game of the series.
 
Middlebury took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo homer to center by Sophia Marlino. Wesleyan answered in the bottom of the frame with a two-run double to left center by Alexis Campbell.
 
The Panthers tied the game in the fourth inning when Emily Moore reached on an error and later scored.
 
Wesleyan took the lead in the fifth inning with an RBI single from Sophia Sciarappa and a run-scoring double by Campbell. The Cardinals added three insurance runs in the sixth for the 7-2 win.
 
Jewel Ashbrook (1-3) suffered the loss for the Panthers with six innings of work. Jen McGann finished 2-4 at the plate, while Melanie Mandell doubled and Marlino homered.
 
Revi Brown (1-2) picked up the win for Wesleyan, allowing five hits over seven innings. Hannah Doctor went 2-4 with a triple, home run, two runs scored and two RBI to pace the home team.
 
Middlebury struck for five runs on four hits in the first inning of game two. Moore singled and scored on a fielder's choice, before Marlino drove in a run with a single to right. Abby Santis later plated a run with a hit to center and Marlino scored when Kaylee Gumm was hit by a pitch. The Panthers added a fifth run on an RBI groundout from Marina Lyon for the 5-0 lead.
 
Wesleyan scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning before Middlebury answered with two in the second for a 7-3 advantage. Mandell drove in a run with her second double of the day, later crossing the plate on a fielder's choice.
 
The Cardinals cut the lead to 7-4 with a run in the second, before scoring twice in the fourth to make it a one-run game (7-6).
 
Middlebury responded with four runs in the top of the fifth for an 11-6 lead. McGann singled and scored, before Moore drove in a run on an infield single. Mandell then plated Sophie Bolinger, who had singled, with a sacrifice fly to right.
 
Wesleyan scored twice in the fifth and once in the sixth, making it an 11-9 final.
 
Ashbrook (2-3) picked up the win in relief, throwing four innings with four strikeouts. Moore went 3-5 with a double and two runs scored, while Mandell was 2-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Santis went 2-3 in the game, while Marlino drive in a pair.
 
Sciarappa went 3-3 with a double, two RBI and two stolen bases to pace Wesleyan. Brooklin Williams (0-4) took the loss for the Cardinals.