The Bethel Pilots (13-25, 8-22) split the crossroads league doubleheader against the University of Saint Francis Cougars (21-22, 18-12) on Thursday afternoon in Jenkins Stadium. The Pilots suffered a 13-4 loss in game one before securing game two 4-1. The nightcap win broke the three-game losing streak against the USF Cougars. 
 

GAME ONE 
 

In the bottom of the first, Bethel's Elijah Gaines scored the first run of the series after Jacob Sitterly grounded out to third (1-0). 
 

In the top of the second, the Cougars showcased consistent batting while posting four hits. First baseman Sam Pesa smacked a double down the right field line to score teammates Jayden
Lepper and Xavier Nolan (4-1). 
 

Elijah Gaines answered, in the bottom of the second with his own double to left to score Adam Walters and Hudson Francis, reducing the Cougar lead (4-3). 
 

The third inning proved to be a significant setback for the Pilots. The Cougars recorded three walks and three runs scored to up their run count to seven (7-3). In the bottom of the third, Saint Francis saw three batters up and three batters down. Jordan Landkrohn flew out to the right, and Jacob Sitterly and Corbin Greenslade both struck out swinging. 
 

In the bottom of the fifth, Jacob Sitterly recorded an RBI single to center to score Bethel's final run as Elijah Gaines sprinted in from the hot corner (8-4). 
 

The Cougars claimed a 13-4 win for game one over the Pilots. 
 

Lukas North (5-1) was the winning pitcher, throwing for six innings. North recorded five strikeouts and three walks and gave up four runs on seven hits. 
 

Noah Borwege (0-6) suffered the loss after 2.1 innings of work. Borwege struck out three batters, walked six, and gave up seven runs on seven hits. 
 

GAME TWO 
 

The Cougars posted the first run of the nightcap after Sam Pesa stepped up to the plate. Pesa shot a single to short as Xavier Nolan crossed home plate (1-0). 
 

In the top of the second, Freshman Weston Harvey struck out all three Cougars swinging. Harvey continued to dominate with two consecutive Cougar strikeouts in the top of the third. 
 

The Cougar defense struggled in the bottom of the third as they pushed through a slew of mistakes. Pilots Andrew Dillon and Adam Walters both reached base on balls. 
 

Sam Pesa recorded an error to grant Elijah Gaines a spot at first and Andrew Dillon the tying run (1-1). Walters capitalized on a wild pitch by Gage Smith to take a 2-1 lead. Jacob Sitterly sent a hit to third baseman AJ Patton, who committed a fielding error to give Elijah Gaines his third run of the day (3-1). 
 

With two outs against him, Jesse Stout launched a two-cushion shot to left to place the first Pilot on base in the bottom of the fifth. Stout would soon score off Jordan Landkrohn's single to left for the final run of the day. 
 

Bethel concluded the doubleheader with a 4-1 win over the USF Cougars. 
 

Weston Harvey (4-4) pitched the entirety of the game, recording twelve strikeouts and giving up one run on five Cougar hits. Harvey set a new season high for himself for strikeouts in a single game, surpassing his previous record of eleven against the Marian Knights (Apr. 11).
 

Gage Smith (5-3) suffered the loss after five innings of work on the mound. Smith gave up four runs on four hits, walked two batters, and struck out five. 
 

The Bethel Pilots will face the USF Cougars again for senior day on Saturday, Apr. 19 at 1:00 PM for games three and four of the series in Jenkins Stadium. 
 

For more information about Bethel Athletics and updates on all 28 sports, check out bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube by searching @bupilots or the hashtag #TheRightWaytoPlay.