By: Bethany College Athletics
Kansas City, MO (bethanyswedes.com) – Bethany traveled to Avila University to play against the Eagles. Avila held the Swedes bats at bay, only allowing one run to score and led to a 4-1 victory against Bethany. The Swedes bounced back and took game two in a 6-2 victory.
Game 1: Avila 4 Bethany 1
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when Kurtz singled on a bunt, stole second base and scored from a base hit by Wood, 1-0.
The Eagles followed up in the fourth inning with a three run rally, led by Cotton and Wilds who knocked in the runs, 4-0.
The Swedes would not score until the top of the sixth inning when Kierstyn McMillen singled up the middle and stole second base to put herself in scoring position. Amaris Guerra then hit a hard ground ball through the infield, scoring McMillen and putting the Swedes on the board 4-1. The pitcher from the Eagles, Walter, would hold the Swedes to that one run in the 7 innings that she threw.
Sasha Martello threw 3.2 innings allowing 7 hits and 4 runs while collecting 4 strikeouts and 0 walks. Jordan Stelzig came in to relieve, throwing 2.1 innings giving up 3 hits, 0 runs and 0 walks.
The Swedes tallied 4 hits and 4 stolen bases. Amaris Guerra went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a stolen base. Kierstyn McMillen went 1-for-3 at the plate with a stolen base and a run.
Game 2: Bethany 6 Avila 2
Bethany wasted no time in the second game against the Eagles as the Swedes scored 4 runs in the top of the first inning.
Kierstyn McMillen started the barrel party with a triple to left field, her first triple of the season. Amaris Guerra then reached base on a fielder’s choice ground ball, bringing Lilliana Martinez up to bat with one out and one on base. Martinez then took the ball deep to left field for her 12th home run of the season and her 100th career hit as a Swede, making the score 2-0. Bethany continued to pass the bat and loaded the bases with back-to-back singles and a walk, bringing Leah Rivera up to the plate. Rivera then singled on a first pitch hit to right field, scoring Kat Range and Melinda Cratty to make the score 4-0.
The Eagles would scrape in a run in the bottom of the second inning when Wood led the inning off with a triple and tagged up on a sac fly hit by Cotton, 4-1.
Avila pushed another run across the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning when Richards led the inning off with a single up the middle and advanced to third base when the next batter reached on an error. Richards then tagged up on a fly ball hit by Cotton, 4-2.
The Swedes scored two insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning when runners reached base from a walk and a single. Martinez then hit a hard ground ball to left field, scoring McMillen and Guerra, 6-2.
Lilliana Martinez threw 7 complete innings giving up 5 hits, 1 earned run, 0 walks and collected 7 strikeouts. Martinez also went 3-for-3 with a 2 run home run (12), a walk, and 2 singles, collecting 4 RBIs and 1 run.
The Swedes racked up 12 hits in the game. Amaris Guerra went 2-for-3 with 2 runs. Melinda Cratty went 2-for-4 at the plate with a run. Leah Rivera went 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
Up next…
The Swedes will be hosting Sterling College on Saturday, April 8th. The first game is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM against the Warriors.
