LINDSBORG, Kan. — Bethel College softball earned a split on the road Tuesday afternoon against Bethany College, falling 6–4 in the opener before bouncing back with a strong 6–1 victory in game two.
The Threshers move forward with momentum heading into their next contest, a conference doubleheader Saturday at Kansas Wesleyan scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Game One: Bethany 6, Bethel 4
Bethel jumped out to an early lead in the opening game, scoring twice in the first inning. Kiyana Cash started the rally with a single before Katelynn Quidato and Madison Gonzales delivered consecutive hits. Gonzales drove in the first run, and Alohilana Mundon followed with an RBI double to make it 2–0.
The Threshers added another run in the second when Cash doubled to right center to bring home Kenzi Young and push the lead to 3–2.
Bethany responded with runs in the third and a two-run fourth inning to take control of the game. Bethel cut the deficit to one in the fifth when Quidato tripled and later scored on an RBI single from Gonzales, making it 5–4.
Bethany added an insurance run in the sixth inning and held off the Threshers in the seventh to secure the 6–4 win.
Bethel totaled 12 hits in the contest, led by Gonzales who went a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs. Cash added two hits and an RBI, while Mundon and Quidato each contributed extra-base hits.
Game Two: Bethel 6, Bethany 1
Bethel responded in the second game with a complete performance on both sides of the ball.
After two scoreless innings, the Threshers broke through in the third with a three-run frame. Kailey Sandoval started the rally with a hit and later scored, while Cash delivered an RBI double and Quidato followed with an RBI double of her own to give Bethel a 3–0 lead.
Bethel extended the advantage in the fourth inning when Sandoval launched a two-run home run to center field, pushing the lead to 5–0.
In the circle, Emma Figueroa turned in a strong outing, throwing a complete game and allowing just one run on four hits while striking out two.
The Threshers added another run in the seventh when Cassie Albin drove in Quidato with an RBI single. Bethany managed a run in the bottom half of the inning, but Bethel closed the door to secure the 6–1 win.
Sandoval finished with two hits, including the home run and two RBIs, while Quidato and Albin each collected two hits in the victory.
Up Next
Bethel will continue conference play Saturday with a road doubleheader against Kansas Wesleyan. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m., with game two to follow at 3 p.m..
