Pilots split with Lancers in MCC opener

The baseball team opened up conference play at home on Tuesday, March 20, as they split with the Grace Lancers. While both teams experienced plenty of offense in the first game, it became a pitcher’s duel in the second. Despite their persistent efforts to come from behind, the Pilots dropped the first game 7-4, while Elliot Rowe pitched a complete game to earn the Pilots their first conference victory of the season. It was not the start that Brant Jones had hoped for in the first game. Although he held the Lancers scoreless in the first inning he would only last 2.1 innings, giving up a total of seven runs off of three hits and three walks. Nevertheless, the Pilots were led by Steven Steele at the plate and were able to put up two runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings. In addition, Dane DeWitt relieved Jones and pitched 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball. However, the deficit was too much and Bethel could not rally enough in the late innings. Pilot pitcher Rowe continued to keep his confidence growing on the mound as he pitched all seven innings of the second game and gave up just 1 run off of three hits. Several Pilot hitters responded to this leadership by chipping in enough run support to earn a 3-1 win. Kyle Revella led the team, going 2-3 at the plate with a run scored. Revella also had the only extra base hit of the game. The Pilots travel to Grace on Thursday, March 22, to complete their four game series with the Lancers.