MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats closed out the non-conference portion of their schedule with a game versus No. 7 Freed-Hardeman at the Kahlden Complex in McKenzie Tuesday night. The Cats beat the Lions 9-6.
The Wildcats exploded for four runs in the first inning. Jacob Foster doubled and scored on a FHU throwing error. Ruber Medina doubled driving in Juan Torres who had reached on the Lion error. Medina scored later on a passed ball. Jack Surber capped off the inning with a solo home run.
Freed bounced back with three runs in the top of the second.
The Wildcats added a single run in the third. Lucas Riddick doubled and later scored on a Randy Guevarez sacrifice squeeze bunt.
The Lions cut the Bethel margin to 5-4 with a run in the top of the fourth.
Bethel upped the lead to 8-4 with a three run fourth. Torres walked, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Lion error. Nicholas Proto and Riddick followed with RBI doubles.
The Lions answered with two runs in the fifth and Bethel's lead was 8-6.
The Cats pushed across a single run in the seventh and led 9-6. Logan Talley scored on another Lion error.
Ryan Robertson picked up the win while Freed's Tyrek White suffered the Lion loss. Giovannie Nieves recorded his seventh save of the year.
Bethel outhit FHU 10-9. Both teams left 11 runners on base in the game. The Lions committed six errors.
The Wildcats moved to 26-17 on the season. FHU dropped to 36-14.
Bethel returns to action hosting Blue Mountain in a doubleheader Friday at 4 p.m. The teams play a regular season ending single game Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. It will be Senior Day for the Wildcats with ceremonies taking place before the game at 12:30 p.m. The three game series is moved back after a weather forecast of rain in West Tennessee Thursday.
Live stats: http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
Live video: http://www.bethelathletics.com/WildcatVision
