MCKENZIE, Tenn. –After Bethel's Friday night dramatic walk-off win, the Wildcats and the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders returned to action Saturday for a doubleheader at the Kahlden Complex. It was Senior Day for the Wildcats with Sebastian Cortes, Antonio Costas, Nicholas Proto, Jack Surber, Baylor Steelman, Randy Guevarez, Ruber Medina, Giovannie Nieves, Chandler Harmon, Danny Lara and Cody Baker being honored after the two games.
In a 25 inning, over eight hour doubleheader the visiting Blue Raiders prevailed 7-6 in the 11 inning first game and 3-1 in the 14 inning second game.
In game one LWC scored three runs in the second and three in the fifth to take a 6-0 lead. Logan Beecham hit a two run homer in the seventh to make it 6-2. The Cats trailed by that score entering the bottom of the ninth. Baylor Steelman drove in a run to make it 6-3. After his game winner on Friday, Nick Proto hit a three-run homer to right to tie the game at 6-6. LWC won however in the 11th on a Bethel throwing error. Giovannie Nieves suffered the loss while Jake McDaniel picked up the Raider win.
Game two was scheduled for seven innings but again the teams battled to extra innings. LWC scored on a passed ball in the top of the eighth. The Wildcats tied it in the bottom of the inning on a Proto sacrifice fly. The Blue Raiders pushed across two runs in the top of the 14th. Bethel's fifth error of the game and a passed ball proved to be costly. Both teams had nine hits each. LWC left 14 runners on base while Bethel stranded 13 in the marathon. Antonio Costas was charged with the loss while Kyle Collin picked up the Blue Raider victory.
The Wildcats dropped to 16-16 overall and 11-10 in the MSC. LWC moved to 19-20 and 13-11.
The Wildcats close out their regular season with a weekend series against Cumberland University Friday and Saturday in Lebanon. Friday's single game is slated for 2 p.m. while the squads close it out with a doubleheader on Saturday at noon.
Unless the Cats and Phoenix meet in postseason play the series will mark the last games Bethel will face legendary coach Woody Hunt. After 41 years and amassing over 1,600 career wins Coach Hunt is retiring from the dugout.
Live video:
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/cu/
Live stats:
http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&gid=cumt
