Viera, Fla. – Bethel University split the day with an 11-3 loss to the Olivet Nazarene Cougars, then turned around and defeated the Cornerstone Golden Eagles 3-0 at the USSSA Space Coast Games on Thursday.
vs OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
ONU took an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. The first run came from an error by the second baseman, and later in the inning, ONU added a second run from an RBI single to center.
To cap off the inning, ONU scored on two passed balls to pad the lead.
The Pilots responded in the third when Jordan Markley caused an error by the third baseman, Kate Cooper forced an error by the shortstop, and Maddy Shaw hit in Markley, who scored on the sacrifice fly to left. The Pilots battled to trail 4-3.
ONU added a run in the third before scoring six in the fifth to end the game early from a two-run single, and a three-run triple helped ONU seal the win.
Bethel had four hits from Kidwell, Forys, Blubaum, and Baker. H. Looney (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs in three innings. H. Allen pitched in relief but struggled against ONU's late offense.
vs CORNERSTONE
The Pilots got on the board early in the first inning when J. Markley doubled to bring home M. Blubaum, giving Bethel a 1-0 lead.
They added another run in the third when A. Forys doubled and later scored on a single by Markley.
Bethel secured their win in the sixth inning as H. Looney hit an RBI double to drive in K. Cooper, extending the lead to 3-0.
McNeil (1-4) controlled the game from the circle, keeping Cornerstone off the board and stranding three runners on base. Bethel finished with eight hits, led by Markley (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Blubaum (2-for-3).
Pitcher Natalee McNeil (1-4) was dominant, allowing just three hits and striking out two in her first victory of the season.
The Pilots will finish their Florida trip on Friday, March 7, with games against Fisher College (Mass.) at 10:00 AM and Cleary University at 2:30 PM at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera, Fla.
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