ROSEMONT, Ill. --- The Bethel Pilots kicked off the 2025 season at the Leadoff Classic, hosted by Roosevelt University, at The Dome on Saturday.

VS SAINT XAVIER (Ill.)

The Cougars struck first with a sacrifice fly to right field in the bottom of the second after a lead-off single, followed by a wild pitch, put a runner in scoring position to score the first run of the game. With two outs in the frame, a bunt loaded the bases before the second run was walked in, 2-0 SXU.

In the third, Saint Xavier got a lead-off walk on a pitch that got by the catcher to advance to second, then advanced to third after a throwing error in an attempt to make a play at second. A second walk, followed by a stolen base, put runners on second and third to set up an RBI single to center to grow the lead to 3-0.

SXU put up one final run in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out drag bunt, followed by a double down the left field line that allowed the Cougars to score off a wild pitch, which would lead to a 4-0 loss for the Pilots.

Natalie McNeil (0-1) got the nod for the first start of the season, ending the game with 10 hits, four runs (three earned), five walks, and a strikeout in six innings of work and 103 pitches thrown.

VS IUSB

Alyssa Forys went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs amongst Paxton Baker, who had a two-hit game (2-for-3), Madison Shaw 2-for-4, and Harmony Looney 2-for-4.

Baker singled to left to put the first base runner on for the Pilots in the top of the first and was advanced to second by Shaw with a single through the left side. Kate Cooper looped a single to left to load the bases and set up Forys for a two-out single to third that plated Baker for the first run.

The Titans answered with a crooked number from a two-run triple that turned into three runs after a throwing scored the batter for a 3-1 IUSB lead. A fourth run came later in the frame from an RBI double down the left field line and the fifth run of the inning was off an RBI single to left, 5-1 IUSB.

In the bottom of the second, IU-South Bend tacked on their sixth run from a bases-loaded fielder's choice.

Bethel answered with four runs in the top of the third from Shaw's RBI single to left, scoring Baker, followed by Forys, who singled up the middle, plating Cooper, 6-3 IUSB. Ryen Clair singled to left to score Harmony Looney from second, then Hannah Goldsborough hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Forys for the fourth run of the inning, 6-5.

The Titans scored two more in the bottom of the third from a throwing error fielding a bunt and grew their lead to 8-5.

Bethel scored one final time in the top of the sixth from a lead-off triple by Jordan Markley that set up Morgan Blubaum for an RBI single to first, but the Pilots would fall short of the comeback for their second loss of the season.

Haylee Allen (0-1) started the game and was relieved in the first after allowing six hits on five runs, two walks, and struck out one. Ryen Clair threw 5.1 innings and allowed 10 hits on three runs (one earned), walked two, and struck out one.

The Pilots prepare for a doubleheader with the Trinity Christian Trolls on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. in Palos Heights, Ill.

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