Wildcats News
Sat, Mar 15, 2008 - [Baseball]
MCKENZIE, Tenn. (March 14, 2008) – The Bethel College Wildcats series with the Union University Bulldogs fell victim to Mother Nature’s plans again that moved a double header to Friday and cancelled the third match-up. The Wildcats blasted their way to a 9-3 win in game one, but were handed second worse loss of the year and of the week in game two, 16-6.
 

Bethel got rolling in the first inning as Jonathan Keck blasted a two-run homer to deep right-center that scored Heath Sharp who singled. Bethel added to that lead as Andrew Maddox homered to right-center in the bottom of the second. Jay Lowery was able to score on Johnathan Deberry’s single and a wild throw. Deberry was able to get all the way to third and Seth Stanfil singled to drive Deberry in for a 5-0 lead. The Bulldogs would counter in the top of the third and the fifth for two runs. Bethel scored two more on Union’s three errors in the bottom of the fifth for a 7-2 lead. After Sharp singled in the top of the sixth, Keck blasted another homer for a 9-2 advantage. Union scored one in the seventh. Blake Willis picked up the win and is 5-0 on the season. Willis went 4.2 innings giving up two runs, one earned. Rhett Hughes threw 1.2 innings giving up a run and striking out four. Blake Talbott got the final two outs striking out one.

There weren’t many bright spots in game two for the Wildcats, Union scored 16 runs off of four Bethel pitchers; Bethel did manage six runs. Bethel starter, Jonathan Keck made it only the second inning allowing six runs on five hits. David Rodriguez didn’t fair much better going four innings giving up six runs on seven hits. Jon Patterson lasted a third of an inning as Union scored three on three hits. Brian Nellett closed it out giving up one run. Offensively, Andrew Maddox was perfect in game two going 3 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored. Jim Evans went 2 for 2 with two RBI. Craig Massey was 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. Will Cripps was 1 for 3 with a RBI.

The Wildcats will be at home on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 as they host Indiana Institute of Technology for a nine inning game at 2:00pm. On Wednesday, March 19, they will play a double header starting at 1:00pm. Then Bethel returns to conference action on Friday, March 21, 2008 at 2:00pm in Jackson, Tenn. against Lambuth University. A double header at Lambuth is set for Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 12:00pm. Bethel is 16-7 (3-4) on they year.