By: Bethany College Athletics
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (bethanyswedes.com) – The Swede Softball team traveled to Oklahoma Wesleyan University for the last conference doubleheader of the 2023 season. The Swedes got on the board early in game one, and held the Eagles to 2 runs, taking game one 4-2. The Swedes then dropped game 2, 5-2, leaving runners on base and allowing a few errors to take the momentum of the game.
Game 1
Bethany had no hesitation, scoring in the top of the 1st inning when Amaris Guerra took a walk, advanced to second on another walk, and reached third on a ground ball hit to the right side. Guerra then stole home on a passed ball, putting the Swedes up 1-0.
The top of the 2nd inning rolled around when Sasha Martello hit a home run over the centerfield fence, putting the Swedes up 2-0.
The bats were quiet on both sides until the top of the 6th inning when Bethany rallied 2 runs. Guerra led off the inning with a single to right field. Lilliana Martinez then reached base on a hit-by-pitch, advancing Guerra to second. Myranda Jimenez then laid down a sac bunt advancing runners to second and third with one out. Melinda Cratty then followed up with another sac bunt, scoring Guerra and advancing Martinez to third, putting the Swedes up 3-0. Kat Range then hit a double to left center, scoring Martinez, putting the Swedes up 4-0 going into the bottom of the 6th.
The Eagles broke the shutout in the bottom of the 6th inning when Caudle took a walk and Knorr doubled to center field, making the score 4-1. A single hit by Rector advanced Knorr to third who scored when Alexander hit a sac fly to center field, making the score 4-2. The Swedes then collected two more outs getting out of the inning.
Sasha Martello threw 7 complete innings, giving up 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, while collecting 6 strikeouts. Martello went 1-for-3 at the plate with a solo home run in the 2nd inning.
Amaris Guerra went 1-for-2 with a walk and 2 runs. Kat Range went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a single.
Knorr led the Eagles going 2-for-3 with 2 doubles, an RBI and a run. Liebenthal threw 7 complete innings, giving up 4 hits, 4 runs, and collected 10 strikeouts.
Game 2
First run of the game was scored by the Eagles in the bottom of the 3rd inning when OKWU loaded the bases on 3 walks and scored Alexander on a sac fly hit by Rector, making the score 1-0.
The Eagles scored another run from a lead off single and a throwing error, making the score 2-0 in the bottom of the 4th. Two singles and another error caused a third run to score, 3-0.
Two hit-by-pitches and two walks scored the first run for the Swedes in the top of the 5th inning, 3-1.
The Eagles then scored 2 more runs in the bottom of the 5th inning with a lead off single by Rector who advanced to second on a ground ball and scored from a single hit by Hannah, 4-1. Weise then scored Hannah on a triple to right field, making the score 5-1.
In the top of the 7th inning the Swedes made a last push to stay in the game, loading the bases with two walks and a single. Shantell Evans then took an RBI walk, making the score 5-2. Bethany was unable to extend the inning, dropping game 2, 5-2.
Lilliana Martinez threw 5 innings allowing 6 hits, 3 earned runs, 4 walks, and striking out 2. Martinez went 1-for-2 with 2 walks. Jordan Stelzig came in for relief, throwing a 7-pitch inning.
Melinda Cratty went 1-for-2 with 2 walks and an RBI. Shantell Evans went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. The Swedes had 3 hits, 7 walks, and 2 RBI’s.
Wiese threw 4.2 innings allowing 1 hit, 1 earned run, 4 walks while striking out 4. Wiese went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a run. Hannah went 2-for-3 with an RBI and 2 runs.
Up next…
The Swede Softball team will be back on the diamond on Wednesday, May 3rd for the first game of the KCAC Tournament. Bethany will go head-to-head with Avila University at 2:30PM in Great Bend, Kan.
