Sterling, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes Baseball team opened their mid-week series against the Sterling College Warriors in Sterling, Kan. on Tuesday, March 10.
The Swedes dug themselves in a hole early in the contest allowing eight runs in the first two innings; five by way of a walk or wild pitch.
The fifth inning is where the Swedes’ offense would start to gain traction. Fernando Bones would bat Brevin Hoffman in to put Bethany on the board. In the sixth, Conner Balmer would rip a triple to score Manny Gonzalez. Balmer would later score via a Stephen Kent double to cut it to 8-3.
The Swedes would tack on four more in the eighth inning highlighted by a Jesuel Cruz bases-clearing double for three RBI cutting the deficit to one. The Warriors would score one more time before the final inning where the Swedes would be unable to plate home the tying runs who were in scoring position. Bethany would fall to Sterling 9-7.
Conner Balmer could do no wrong with a perfect day at the plate. Balmer went three-for-three with two walks for a 1.000 on-base percentage. Jesuel Cruz did the most with his one plate appearance recording three RBI. Brevin Hoffman was solid at the plate going three-for-five.
Jesus Rujano got the start, but it was Wesly Martinez who showed out lasting 5.0 innings in relief allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out three.
Up Next…
The Swedes are set to host the other SC, the Southwestern College Moundbuilders, this weekend. Game One will be on Friday, March 13, at 2:00 PM. Game Two and Game Three will be part of a doubleheader on Saturday, March 14, starting at 12:00 PM.
