MISHAWAKA, Ind. ---The Bethel Pilots (12-24, 7-21) split Saturday's doubleheader with the Marian University Knights at Jenkins Stadium.
The Pilots dropped the first game 15-4 in five innings but concluded the weekend series with a 20-8 win in game two.
GAME ONE
In the opening inning, both teams saw no runs with the Pilots posting two hits to Marian's one.
Marian catcher Jacob Dill recorded the first RBI in the top of the second after Dawson Estep crossed home plate on his single to center (1-0). The Knights' run total continued to climb following three singles in the top of the third that put Marian ahead 6-0.
In the bottom of the third,
Elijah Gaines slapped a single down the left-field line, which advanced
Adam Walters to the hot corner. Walters capitalized on Marian's third baseman's error to put the Pilots on the board 6-1.
First baseman
Jacob Sitterly shot a base hit to left center to send
Jordan Landkrohn home (7-2) in the bottom of the fourth.
The Knights cashed in on Bethel's pitching challenges in a momentous top of the fifth for Marian. Cole McManus posted a four-bagger for two RBIs (9-2). A pair of walks and hit-by-pitches set the Knights ahead 13-2, and Callan Gick scored Marian's final run following a single to right by McManus (15-2).
Bethel persisted in the bottom of the seventh, with
Jordan Landkrohn and
Corbin Greenslade each recording RBI singles, but yielded the game to Marian 15-4.
Eli Loichinger claimed the win after a successful six innings on the mound. Loichinger struck out six batters, walked three, and gave up seven hits alongside two runs.
Andrew Gerber suffered the loss after pitching 4.1 innings. Gerber gave up six runs and seven hits.
GAME TWO
A tug-of-war for runs ensued in the first two innings of the final game of the series.
Marian took a 1-0 lead after Cole McManus scored on an error by
Jordan Landkrohn in the top of the first. In the next half inning,
Elijah Gaines recorded an RBI base knock to tie the score 1-1 as
Logan Bevier crossed home plate.
Marian's Dawson Estep smacked a triple to right in the top of the second and scored following Elijah Kelly's ground out (2-1).
The bottom of the second proved to be pivotal for the Pilots, who recorded five runs on five hits.
Hudson Francis hit a double to right that Marian's second baseman failed to track down in the afternoon sunshine.
Elijah Gaines positioned himself to score with his own double to left that brought in Francis and
Drew Deming for a 3-2 Pilot lead.
Jesse Stout nailed a base hit to right to bring in Gaines (4-2) and soon stole second with ease, as the Knights' catcher did not attempt the throw down.
Jordan Landkrohn launched a homer to left off of Bethel's scoreboard, increasing the Pilots' lead 6-2.
In the bottom of the third,
Andrew Dillon shot a base hit to left. The Pilot coaching staff secured the baseball to commemorate Dillon's offensive work despite his battle with cancer. Bethel scored four runs in the half inning for a 10-2 lead.
Both teams showcased home runs in the second half of the game.
Drew Deming homered to the left of the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth (12-6). In the top of the sixth, Marian's Elijah Kelly hit a solo shot to left (14-7), and
Elijah Gaines took a round trip for three RBIs (19-7) in the bottom of the sixth.
The Pilots turned two for an exciting conclusion of the series in the top of the seventh. Shortstop
Jesse Stout got the first Knight out at second with a throw to
Elijah Gaines, and
Jacob Sitterly posted the final out after receiving Gaines' throw.
Bethel split the four-game series 2-2 with Marian.
Damien Wallace suffered the loss after striking out one batter and giving up six runs from seven hits. Wallace pitched 2.1 innings.
Adam Walters threw for six innings, recording four Knight strikeouts, six walks, and five hits.
Bethel will next face the Saint Francis Cougars on Thursday, Apr. 17 at 1:00 PM in Jenkins Stadium.
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