OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Bethel College softball team took on Arkansas Baptist and #3 Science and Arts of Oklahoma on the first day of the Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic. The Threshers started the classic by picking up a 3-2 9 inning victory over Arkansas Baptist before falling to Science and Arts of Oklahoma 16-2.
GAME 1, W 3-2 9 INN.
The Threshers struck first in the top of the fourth when
Ella Caudill scored on a throwing error by the Buffaloes catcher. Arkansas Baptist answered back with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead. Two innings later, Caudill scored on an error again, this time by the Buffaloes pitcher, to tie the contest at 2. Neither team was able to score in the final inning of regulation. After a scoreless first extra frame, Bethel was able to manufacture a run.
Olivia Nava, placed on second base to start the inning, was bunted to third by
Ashleigh Bodine, who reached safely herself. With runners on the corners, the Buffaloes pitcher threw a wild pitch that allowed Nava to score and
Cami Hershberger, who was running for Bodine, to advance to second. Arkansas Baptist escaped the inning without further damage.
Sidney Smith struck out two batters in the bottom half of the 9th and got a third to groundout as she sat the Buffaloes down in order giving BC the extra inning victory.
Ashleigh Bodine - 2/3, Sac
Taylor Sanfillippo - 1/3, BB
Brianna Reeves - 1/5, 2B
Sidney Smith - 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO
GAME 2, L 16-2 5 INN.
Game two of the day saw the Threshers take on the #3 Drovers of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. After a scoreless first inning, USAO struck for five in the bottom of the second to jump out to the early lead. The Threshers were looking to respond in the top of the third inning as they loaded the bases wiht two outs.
Catherine Carter recorded an RBI with a hit by pitch bringing in
Brianna Reeves. Bethel's threat was neutralized with a strikeout to end the inning. USAOÂ responded with 7 runs in the bottom half of the inning to take the 12-1 advantage. The Drovers added to their lead in the fourth inning when they pushed 4 more runs across. Looking to avoid the run rule, Bethel had its first two batters reach safely as Reeves walked and
Amber Mott hit a double. Following a popout, Caudill hit a single to left field scoring Reeves. Following Carter's second hit by pitch of the contest, the Threshers had the bases loaded with one out. The next two batters popped out ending Bethel's chances of extending the game.
Amber Mott - 1/2, BB, 2B
Ella Caudill - 1/2, R, RBI, BB
Catherine Carter - 0/0, 2 HBP, BB, RBI
The Threshers are back in action on Saturday for their final two games of the Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic as they take on Saint Mary of the Woods College at 11:30 AM and Hastings College at 7:00 PM.
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