MCKENZIE, Tenn. - The Bethel Wildcats played host to another group of Wildcats Friday afternoon at Wildcat Park in McKenzie taking on the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats in the first two games of a four game series. They played both games with heavy hearts. The Wildcats came from behind in both games to win capturing game one 8-6 and game two 8-5.
In game one the Wildcats used the long ball to erase a 3-0 deficit. Trailing by three the Cats scored four runs in the fourth with the big blow coming off the bat of Colin Roberts who slugged a three-run homer. Lucas Riddick had driven in a run earlier in the inning. An inning later Colby Poston went deep to make it 5-3. The Wildcats added two runs in the fifth to run the score to 7-3. Indiana Wesleyan scored a run in the top of the sixth to pull to within 7-4 but on a RBI single by Riddick the Wildcats pushed their lead to 8-4 in the bottom of the inning. The visitors from Indiana loaded the bases in the top of the seventh and would score two runs before Alex Metzger retired the side to preserve the win. Trevor Bishop was the winner while Metzger was credited with the save.
In game two the Wildcats trailed 5-1 going into the bottom of the third. They scored three in the inning with the big hit being a two-run homer by Christian Padin. They scored four in the fifth and won 8-5. Gabriel Matias, Kendall Adkisson and Roberts each had an RBI. Poston drove in two for the Wildcats. Brady Jones picked up the victory while Metzger picked up his second save of the day.
The Wildcats improved to 8-5 while Indiana Wesleyan fell to 7-5.
Coach Rusty Thompson commented on the wins and his team playing with heavy hearts, "We are happy with these wins but our hearts are tendered today. Before the game one of our players, John Michael Spoon had to rush home to Ripley because of the illness of his father. We found out after the games his father passed away his afternoon. Our hearts are heavy for him and his family. We want him to know our thoughts and prayers are with him. We are his family here as well and we are hurting with and for him."
The two teams square off for a twin-bill again Saturday beginning at noon.
