Comeback Cats are Just That Friday in MSC Opening Round

MCKENZIE, Tenn. – As a coach and player Rusty Thompson has been involved in over 700 games. Friday night Thompson said, "I have never seen a more insane game than game one Friday at Wildcat Park."

Insane it was! As a matter of fact, the Thursday game (a Wildcat loss) and the Friday doubleheader Wildcat wins that would propel the Wildcats to Bowling Green for quarterfinal action beginning Friday saw Bethel and Lindsey Wilson combine for 64 runs, 86 hits, 72 runners left on base and 1,214 pitches.

Fifth-seeded Bethel took game two of the series against No. 8 seed Lindsey Wilson 12-11. The Blue Raiders led 4-0 after the fifth inning. Bethel cut the Lindsey Wilson lead to 4-3 after scoring three runs in the sixth inning. The Blue Raiders then scored four runs in the seventh to lead 8-3. Bethel would fight back rallying with five run to send the game to extra innings. Twice in the inning, LWC was one strike of eliminating the Wildcats. In the 12th inning, Lindsey Wilson scored three runs. Facing elimination, the Wildcats rallied again scoring four in the bottom half of the inning for the 12-11 victory. Bethel outhit the Blue Raiders 21-14. Wyatt McKee picked up the Wildcat win.

Anatomy of a Comeback:

9^th Inning

Jacob Foster -Three Run Homer

Bryan Catala -Bases Loaded Walk

Luis Aristud -Scored on a Wild Pitch

12^th Inning

Foster -Solo Homer

McKee – RBI Single

Kendrick Osborne – RBI Single

Jose Olmeda – Hit by Pitch with Bases Loaded

In game three of the series, Lindsey Wilson took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Bethel then added three runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Blue Raiders tied the game in the top of the third before Bethel scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to lead 6-3.

Lindsey Wilson tied the game in the top of the fourth before Bethel added two runs in the bottom of the inning. The Blue Raiders had once again tied the game in the top of the fifth. Bethel took control of the game in the bottom of the inning scoring six runs for the 14-8 lead. Lindsey Wilson added one run in the eighth.

Highlighting the Bethel clincher was two home runs by J T Morgan. He also had three RBI's. Foster clubbed another homer and finished with three runs driven in. Catala drove in three runs. Brandon Armour accounted for three RBI's. Noah Willingham pitched four solid innings and was credited with the victory.

Coach Thompson added, "All year these guys have battled and played hard. We have had our share of coming up short but through it all we have continued to fight and believe in ourselves. This group refuses to give in and that is a testament to their character as individuals and as a team. So many different players stepped up today and made big plays and picked each other up time after time. I could not be prouder of each of them."  

The Wildcats at 17-22 will move on to the MSC Quarterfinals beginning Friday in Bowling Green. Pairings and game times will be released Saturday by the league.