WINONA LAKE, Ind. --- In a must-win series, the Bethel Pilots (18-28, 11-23) split with the Grace Lancers (20-25, 12-22) on the road at Miller Field Baseball Complex on Thursday.
GAME 1
The Pilots fought tough, knowing how important the series was for their Crossroads League playoff fate, and started on the board first, with Andrew Miranda reaching first on a dropped fly ball in center field to start the game. Miranda stole second base, then advanced to third on Eli MacDonald's pop-up to shallow right field and eventually scored on an Alex Stout RBI single to right field to take the 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
In the top of the third, Bethel plated two more runs starting with Alex Stout scoring on an error by the left fielder, then Corbin Greenslade roped an RBI single to left field, which scored Cooper Tolson, and the Pilots lead grew to 3-0.
Grace eliminated their goose egg in the bottom of the third with a deep double down the left field line and got back one run to trail the Pilots 3-1.
After a quiet top half of the fourth inning, Grace added one more run on an RBI single to left to get within one run of the Pilots.
The bottom of the sixth inning was when Grace rallied for four runs on two home runs, the first on the first pitch of the at-bat over the center field fence and the second on a 3-1 count over left field.
The Lancers slammed one last home run to center field for one last run in the seventh inning and took the first game of the four-game series 7-3.
Brad VanOverberghe threw 5.1 innings, allowed six runs on six hits, walked two runners, and struck out five.
GAME 2
Grace struck first in the bottom of the first inning after a double down the right field line, leading to an RBI single to left field to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead.
Dominic Deisler tied the game in the top of the fourth on an RBI single to deep right field after Alex Stout reached base on a wild throw by the shortstop.
After two silent innings, the Pilots rallied in the top of the seventh with Eli MacDonald's clutch RBI single to right field to win 3-1.
Frank Plesac threw for six innings allowing five hits on only one run, and struck out eight batters to earn the win.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Dominic Deisler went 3-for-4 in game two and was one of two Pilots who had a multi-hit game, including Alex Stout, who had two hits in game one.
- Bethel stole three bases in game one.
THE SERIES CONTINUES
The Pilots continue to fight for their chance to play in the Crossroads League tournament on Saturday, Apr. 29, with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. in a doubleheader against the Lancers.