Bat Cats Split with Patriots
MCKENZIE, Tenn. –The Bethel Wildcats held on in game two of their doubleheader Sunday afternoon, winning 10-9 over the visiting Patriots of the University of the Cumberlands. In doing so, the Cats gained the split after falling 4-3 in game one. With the split, the Patriots took the three-game weekend series 2-1.
Game one saw the Pats jump out to a 3-0 lead after a Candido Encarnacion three-run homer. The Wildcats tied the game with a three-run homer from Jose Olmeda in the third. The Pats went ahead as they scored the last run of the game in the top of the sixth. With two outs Luis Alvarez hit a double. Sean Cheely followed as he reached first on a throwing error. Alvarez advanced to third on the play. A few pitches later, Cheely stole second and as the catcher was throwing the ball to second, Alverez went home for the 4-3 lead that would hold the rest of the game. Ryan White was charged with the loss. Thomas Gutierrez picked up the Patriot win.
The squads combined for twenty-seven hits in game two with Bethel having fifteen in the game. The Wildcats led 10-5 entering the ninth and withstood a four run ninth by the Patriots. Olmeda played a key role with two RBI's. Kendrick Osborne was even bigger with four hits and three runs driven in. Noah Hawkins drove in two runs while Wyatt McKee and J.T. Morgan accounted for the other runs. Logan Beecham stole two bases including a steal of home. The Wildcats won despite stranding fifteen runners.
John Boren was the winner for the Wildcats. Chipper Korbacher suffered the Patriot loss.
Coach Rusty Thompson commented, "The first game was a tough loss, but we battled and it just did not go our way. Cumberlands did a great job defensively against us. Ryan White came in and did a terrific job out there in long relief and really gave us that opportunity to win."
Thompson added, "In the second game we fought hard and got that win through hustle and effort from a lot of contributors. Trey Boren did a really good job out there and gave us the solid start we needed. Offensively we finally got some balls to drop and find holes and had a lot of good at bats and approaches at the plate. We are moving in the right direction play wise but we still are working on things and learning as we go."
Bethel is 8-10 overall and 6-5 in the MSC. The No. 17 Patriots are 18-10 and 6-6.
The Wildcats return to play Tuesday hosting Lyon College in a non-conference doubleheader which will begin at noon.
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