North Newton, Kan. — Bethel College (8-17, 4-10 KCAC) battled in both contests but ultimately dropped a pair of close games to McPherson College (10-16, 6-8 KCAC) on Wednesday night at Wedel Field. The Bulldogs edged out an 11-10 win in game one and held off a late Thresher rally in game two, 5-4.
Game 1: McPherson 11, Bethel 10
Pitchers of Record
Win: Emily Peterson
Loss: Gracie Higgins
Save: None
Bethel led 6-4 through five innings after scoring three runs in the fourth, highlighted by RBI singles from Kailey Sandoval and Ella Caudill. McPherson responded with a five-run sixth to take the lead and added two more in the seventh.
The Threshers rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh, including RBIs from Madison Gonzales and Cassie Albin, but left the tying run stranded on base as the Bulldogs escaped with the win.
Sandoval finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run, while Reese McCord and Gonzales also drove in two runs apiece.
Game 2: McPherson 5, Bethel 4
Pitchers of Record
Win: Landri Lopez
Loss: Kayla Richardson
Save: None
In another back-and-forth game, Bethel tied it up 4-4 after five innings, scoring twice in the fifth on a two-RBI single by Sandoval.
McPherson regained the lead in the top of the seventh with back-to-back triples by Sidney Larrew and Alivia Lange. Bethel couldn't answer in the bottom half despite a two-out single from Kenzi Young.
Richardson went six innings before Emma Killingsworth came in to pitch the final frame.
Statistical Snapshot
Game 1
Kailey Sandoval | 3-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2B
Reese McCord | 3-for-5, 2 RBIs
Kaylee Linnebur | 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R
Sadie Jensen | 1-for-3, 2 BB, 2 R, RBI, 2B
Ashleigh Bodine | 3-for-4, RBI, R, BB
Ashlyn Rushing | 1-for-4, 3 RBIs, R
Claire Broxterman | 0-for-3, RBI, BB, R
Ella Caudill | 1-for-4, BB, R, SB
Kenzi Young | 0-for-5, R
Emma Killingsworth | 2.0 IP, 4 H, 6 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 2 K (Loss)
Emily Demartino | 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R (5 ER), BB, 2 K
Gracie Higgins | 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R
Game 2
Kailey Sandoval | 2-for-4, 2 RBIs, BB, R
Kenzi Young | 3-for-3, SAC, R
Kaylee Linnebur | 2-for-4, RBI, SAC
Reese McCord | 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 R
Sadie Jensen | 0-for-2, 2 BB, R
Ella Caudill | 1-for-1, SB
Madison Gonzales | 0-for-2, 2 BB, R
Kayla Richardson | 6.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R (all ER), 5 BB, 5 K (Loss)
Emma Killingsworth | 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Up Next
Bethel (8-17, 4-10 KCAC) travels to Leavenworth this Saturday to face the University of Saint Mary. First pitch is set for 1 p.m., with game two to follow.
