NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology sophomore Andrew Stull (Sammamish, Wash./Eastlake) tossed eight shutout innings and the Fightin' Engineers blasted two solo home runs in a 5-0 win over Anderson University in the opening round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament.

Stull scattered six hits over eight shutout innings to help the Fightin' Engineers advance into the winner's bracket matchup against Manchester University on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m.  He walked two and struck out six in a matchup with Anderson ace Nolan Schaefer, as the Ravens starter fell to 7-1 on the season.

Senior Hank Akard (Indianapolis/Ben Davis) and sophomore Donnie Waters (Franklin, Ind./Franklin) blasted solo home runs in the seventh inning to propel the offensive effort.  Akard also set a single-season school record with his 22nd stolen base and has increased his career total to 51.

Rose-Hulman added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning.  Followed two singles to open the inning and a passed ball to score a run, junior Josh Hoeing (Rushville, Ind./Rushville) lined a two-run single to push the score to 5-0 and secure the victory.

Senior Kevin Farley (Centennial, Colo./Littleton) added a scoreless ninth inning to cap the shutout.  Sophomore Caleb Kissel (Plainfield, Ill./North) led the offense with four singles, and Hoeing added three.  Akard joined sophomore Warren Whithaus (Robinson, Ill./Robinson) with two hits.

Rose-Hulman improved to 24-16 on the season, while Anderson dropped to 24-16.  The Fightin' Engineers face top-seeded Manchester University on Friday at 9:30 a.m.  The tournament includes two more games on Friday, and the Fightin' Engineers would play again Friday if they fall in the opener.