Pilot baseball splits with Lancers and Wildcats

The men’s baseball team faced up against both Grace and Indiana Wesleyan this week. The Pilots split with the Lancers at Grace on Tuesday as well as with the Wildcats at home on Thursday. Each time the Pilots surrendered the first game but were victorious in the later game. Clint Nealeigh collected the victory on the mound against Grace, while Jerrod Long claimed the win over Indiana Wesleyan.

In the first game against Grace, Bethel gave up nine runs in the first three innings. Although they were able to collect a few runs past that point they eventually fell 10-5. Drew Eads, Garrett Curless, Chad Vanderbosch, and Ethan Zartman each contributed two hits. Jerrod Long took the loss on the mound. The second game was a much tighter finish that was led by terrific pitching on both sides. In addition to Nealeigh going six strong innings, Shane Fye was able to come in and get the save. Curless, Zartman, and Corey Stoner each claimed an RBI in the game to give Bethel a win over the Lancers. The first game of the double header against Indiana Wesleyan did not go well for the Pilots. Bethel surrendered six errors and four unearned runs, as the Wildcats took the 8-1 victory. The lone score for the Pilots came when Brandon Robbins was able to push Kyle Revella home in the third inning. Elliot Rowe took the loss after going five innings and giving up three earned runs. The Pilots were again able to come back strong following a loss as they put up 15 runs in the second game to beat the Wildcats 15-9. The bats were much livelier in this game as Bethel had three innings of scoring four or more runs. Revella and Evan Pulliam each had two hits in the game to lead the Pilots to a strong win over Indiana Wesleyan. Many pitchers were the beneficiary of all the scoring as Bethel went very deep into their bullpen. Despite Long gathering the victory, other pitchers on the afternoon consisted of Mike Vanderlaan, Austin Kiser-Petrie, Lance Schrock, and Dan Halley. Bethel is now currently 5-3 in the MCC and finds themselves third in the conference standings. Their next double header will be this Saturday when they travel to Indiana Wesleyan. The first game is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.