XENIA, Ohio -- A ninth inning rally cost the Heidelberg University baseball team their 2017 opener, as they dropped a 12-11 slugfest against Anderson University.

The Ravens scored three in the top of the first to take an early lead over HU. In the bottom of the inning, Alex Manner, Adam Hershberger, and Matt Psychas walked. Senior Evan Long delivered a bases loaded two-out double to even the score at 3.

Anderson took the lead right back from the Student Princes in the top of the second. Two walks, a fielder's choice, and two singles led to the two-run Raven inning. Following the inning, Anthony Hajdu came in to relieve HU starter Alex Simun.

The Student Princes used a three-run fourth to take a 6-5 lead. Joe Walton walked, and Darrin Shirk and Joey Rydzewski followed with singles. With the bases loaded and one out, a passed ball allowed Walton to score from third and the other two runners to advance 90 feet. Manner sent a shot to the left center field gap for a go-ahead 2-RBI double.

Hajdu threw three innings of no-hit ball before running into trouble in the top of the sixth. A leadoff single and a stolen base gave AU a runner in scoring position with one out. After a two-out walk, a passed ball allowed runners to be at second and third. The Ravens capitalized on the miscue with a single through the right side to take a 7-6 advantage.

Anderson tacked on a run in the top of the seventh with a passed ball.

The Berg used a two-out rally in the bottom of the frame to take a 9-8 lead. Psychas reached on a fielder's choice and Long reached on an error. The error allowed Psychas and Long to move to second and third. After a pitching change, Joey Wenning was hit by a pitch. Walton roped a double to left field, scoring Long and Psychas to tie the game at 8. Shirk was plunked to load the bases and Rydzewski drew a bases-loaded walk for the lead.

A sacrifice fly by the Ravens in the top of the eighth tied the game at 9.

After Hershberger and Psychas singled, an error by Anderson allowed for both runners to score for an 11-9 Heidelberg lead.

Anderson walked and hit back-to-back singles to start the ninth inning rally. A Heidelberg error pushed a run across the board for the Ravens with no outs. Anderson hit consecutive sacrifice flies to take a 12-11 lead.

Despite having a runner on second, the Student Princes could not push the run across in the bottom of the inning.

Alex Sir Louis (0-1) took the loss for the Student Princes. John Becker picked up the win for Anderson. In his four innings of work, Hajdu struck out six batters.

The Student Princes will remain idle until they arrive in Florida. Heidelberg is scheduled to play nine games from Mar. 3-10 in Port Charlotte and Fort Myers.