Toccoa Falls, Ga. --- The Bethel Pilots (7-5) lost both games against the Toccoa Falls Screaming Eagles (9-7) by scores of 8-7 and 9-7 in two back and forth affairs.
GAME 1
The Screaming Eagles started strong in the bottom of the first on a ground out to short, where Noah Davis scored on the throw to start the game 1-0.
In the second inning, Toccoa Falls struck again with a run scored on an error by Sam Lewandowski that scored Andrew Hammerle to grow their lead to 2-0.
Bethel tied the game in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Andrew Miranda, which scored Dominic Deisler and Silas Kaser. Andrew Miranda gave the Pilots their first lead on an RBI single, and Jeremy Wiersema grew the Pilots' lead after an error by the center fielder led to Thomas Dolan scoring the third run. The Pilots got their sixth run of the inning on an Alex Stout RBI single to score Eli MacDonald to give Bethel a 6-2 lead.
Bethel kept rolling in the sixth inning by an error from the center fielder to score Wiersema to grow to a four-run advantage. Toccoa Falls answered with a solo home run by Jacob Bargiol to knock the lead down to 7-4.
The Screaming Eagles kept rolling in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run, two walked-in runs, and an RBI single to re-take the lead 8-7 and win the game.
Andrew Gerber got the loss after throwing for two innings in relief, allowed five runs on four hits, and struck out two batters.
GAME 2
Toccoa Falls struck again with an RBI single by Ryan McCarron, who scored two runs, and another RBI single by Owin Gunyon, who scored two more runs to take a 4-0 lead out of the gate.
Eli MacDonald answered back in the top of the third for the Pilots with an RBI single of his own, which scored Miranda, and Wiersema scored on an error.
The game was tied in the top of the fourth by a two-run bomb by Corbin Greenslade to make it a 4-4 ballgame. Cooper Tolson gave the Pilots the lead in the fifth when he slapped a sac fly to right field, which crossed Stout for the fifth run of the game.
The Screaming Eagles took back the lead in the bottom of the sixth, putting up five runs on a two-RBI double, RBI single, a walked-in run, and a runner who stole home, which made it a 9-5 game.
Deisler hit a two-run home run, which decreased the lead to two, but Toccoa Falls would win the series after taking the rubber match 9-7.
Noah Borwege would be given the loss after coming in to close for two innings, struck out three batters, allowed five runs on four hits, and walked five batters.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- The Pilots hit five home runs in the entire series.
- Bethel outhit Toccoa Falls 40-35 in the series.
- There were a total of 13 errors between both teams during the series.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots begin Crossroads League play at a neutral site in Leesburg, Fl. on Feb. 28 for a doubleheader scheduled for a 10 a.m. first pitch and another doubleheader on Mar. 1 at 11 a.m.
For the latest information on each of Bethel University's 31 intercollegiate athletic teams, visit BUPilots.com or follow the Pilots on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @BUPilots or YouTube at /BethelSportsNetwork.
