By BethanySwedes.com
LINDSBORG, Kan. – The Bethany College Softball team hosted the University of Saint Mary Spires in a conference matchup. The Swedes came out with hot bats, scoring 16 runs on the day and ended the day with two wins.
Game 1
The Swedes got to work right away, scoring three runs in the first inning. Lead off back-to-back base hits by Kierstyn McMillen and Amaris Guerra, followed by a sac bunt by Lilliana Martinez put runners in scoring position with one out for Bethany. McMillen and Guerra would then score on passed balls, making the score 2-0. Shantell Evans reached base with a walk and scored on an RBI single by Leah Rivera, updating the score to 3-0.
The score remained the same until the bottom of the 4th inning when Myranda Jimenez led off the inning with a solo shot over the left field fence. Allison Rosa then started a rally with a double to centerfield. McMillen then reached on an error and advanced Rosa to third base. Guerra then reaches on another error, Rosa scores, and McMillen advances to third. Martinez then doubled, scoring McMillen and pinch runner Callissa Lucero, making the score 7-0. The Swedes then loaded the bases and scored on a HBP RBI by Jimenez. Marissa Riley then singled to left field, scoring Melinda Cratty, making the score 9-0. The Spires responded in the top of the fifth inning, scoring 4 runs, making the score 9-4.
The Swedes scored in the bottom of the 6th inning from a couple base hits, putting the Swedes up 10-4. The Spires made one last push, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 7th before Bethany secured the win.
Sasha Martello started on the mound, throwing 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and 0 earned runs, while collecting a career high 8 strikeouts. Cambree Aguirre came in to close out the game throwing 2 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 earned runs, and striking out 5.
Melinda Cratty went 2-for-2 with a walk at the plate, and scored twice. Myranda Jimenez went 2-for-3 at the plate with 3 RBIs and scored once. Lilliana Martinez went 2-for-3 at the plate with 2 RBIs. Shantell Evans went 2-for-3 with a walk at the plate and also scored twice. The Swedes collected 13 total hits and collected 8 RBIs as a team.
Game 2
The Swedes started off scoring a run in the first inning. Amaris Guerra hit a single to left field and advanced by stealing second base. Shantell Evans then scored Guerra with a double to left field.
Bethany then rallied in the bottom of the third inning by scoring 5 runs on 2 outs. Lilliana Martinez started off the rally by taking a walk. Martinez then advanced to second base from a fielder’s choice ground ball, and soon after scored from a single up the middle hit by Melinda Cratty. Leah Rivera then hit an infield pop-up single, advancing Cratty to second. Myranda Jimenez then singled on a fly ball to center field, scoring Cratty. Marissa Riley then loaded the bases with a single to left field. Allison Rosa then singled on a ground ball up the middle, scoring Rivera and keeping the bases loaded. Kierstyn McMillen then singled to left, scoring Jimenez and Riley, making the score 6-0.
The Spires scored a run in the top of the 5th inning with a couple base hits, taking the shut out away. The score was made 6-2 in the top of the 7th when the Spires hit a long ball to left field before the Swedes secured the sweep.
Lilliana Martinez threw a complete 7 inning game, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, no walks, and collecting 7 strikeouts.
The Swedes collected 8 hits and 6 RBIs. Cratty, Jimenez, and Riley each went 1-for-2 at the plate as well as each scoring once.
Up next…
The Swedes are traveling to Winfield, Kansas next to play Southwestern College. Game one of the double header is set to start at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 22nd.
