MCKENZIE, Tenn. –Bethel University and Martin Methodist met for the 34th time in baseball Friday night as the Wildcats played host to the RedHawks in McKenzie. The series has been a storied one and Friday night's encounter added to that history as prior to the game the University held a ribbon cutting to officially recognize its newly lighted baseball and softball fields as Kahlden Complex. The ribbon cutting took place at the beginning of the Wildcats' evening game against one of their arch-rivals.
Among those joining the Kahldens (Thomas, Patty, Kolby) on the field for the ribbon cutting included: Bethel President Walter Butler, Athletic Director- Mayor of Huntingdon Dale Kelley, Dean Cindy Mallard, Head Baseball Coach Rusty Thompson, Director of Development Amy Thompson, Bethel University Board Member Tommy Surber, Mayor of McKenzie Jill Holland, Director of Industrial and Economic Development for McKenzie Frank Tate.
Thomas Kahlden and Tommy Surber threw out the ceremonial first pitches of the game. Mr. Surber is a member of the Bethel Board of Trustees and father of Wildcat standout Jack Surber.
A replica of the sign naming the complex after the Kahlden's was placed next to the home dugout.
"It was great to have our community and fans to come watch our Wildcats baseball team in action and to take part in this ribbon cutting event," said President Butler. "We were thrilled the Kahlden family was able to be here so we could recognize and honor them for their generous donation that paid for the purchase and installation of lighting for our baseball and softball fields. We are so grateful to them for what they have done."
The Kahlden's are from Caldwell, Texas and they own and operate Refinery Specialties, Inc., an oil and gas solution company in Bryan. Their son, Kolby, is a current student at Bethel majoring in physical education, and he is a dual student athlete in football and shooting.
Patty Kahlden said she saw the opportunity to help with the lighting project and knew that it was a way to ensure impacted student athletes spent less time making up classes missed from day and afternoon games.
Bethel Director of Athletics Dale Kelley added, "This was a special night for our student-athletes, administration and fans. We are so grateful to the Kahlden family for their generosity and support of our university. These lights are a dream come true for all."
The newly installed lighting project includes 64 lights for the baseball field and 26 for the softball field. Musco Lighting undertook the installation, it meets all NCAA regulations, and there is a 25 year warranty.
The Cats added to the flavor of the night winning 4-2. Colby Poston blasted his first home run of the season with a three run shot in the first giving Bethel a 3-0 lead. The Hawks pushed across a single run on two hits in the top of the third. They scored a single run in the sixth to trail 3-2. Bethel added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly by Jackson Hollinshed in the seventh. The Wildcats outhit MMC 7-4. Trevor Bishop pitched 6.1 innings of four hit ball. Billy Price picked up the save.
Bethel moved to 19-20 and 9-10 in the SSAC. Martin Methodist fell to 14-22 and 7-7.
The two squads play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. It will be Senior Day with ceremonies taking place between the games. Jackson Hollinshed, Kendall Adkisson, John Michael Spoon, Axle Metzger, Colby Poston, Brady Jones, Lee McBunch and Steven White will be honored.
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