MCKENZIE, Tenn. (March 24, 2008)- The Wildcats got back by sweeping a double header at home against the Harris Stowe State University Hornets. Bethel needed extra innings in game one, winning 3-2 in eight, but blasted their way through game two 11-5.

Bethel got off to a fast start as the lead-off batter Will Cripps took an 0-2 deep for his third home run of the season and a 1-0 Bethel lead. Harris Stowe plated two runs in the second off starter Jacob Hatchel, who went four innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits. Bethel would come back and tie the game in the bottom of the seventh as Heath Sharp singles in Cripps. Then in the bottom of the eighth, with the bases loaded, the ‘Cats scored the winning run on a wild pitch. Bethel’s Ron Plemons pitched the final four innings, scattering three hits to pick up his first win in a Bethel uniform.

Bethel used the same formula as they did in game one as Cripps scored on a Jonathan Keck single in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. Then the ‘Cats exploded for six runs in the second inning. Andrew Maddox led of the inning with a solo homer to right. Cripps hit a two run single, followed by Seth Stanfil’s single, then both scored on Heath Sharp’s home run to left. The Hornet’s got a run off starter Jon Patterson in the top of the third for a 7-1 score. Patterson threw four innings, allowing one run and three hits. Craig Massey led off the bottom of the fifth with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Chad Blanton for an 8-1 score. But, HSSU would plate four runs in the top of the sixth to tighten the score 8-5. The Wildcats responded in the bottom half of the inning by scoring three more runs. Sharp hit a two-run double to center and Sharp scored on a Zach Tippett single for an 11-5 score. Glenn Smith worked one inning on the mound allowing three earned runs on only one hit. Brian Nellett worked two innings giving up one run on one hit. Sharp was 2 for 4 with five RBI. Cripps was 1 for 2 with two RBI and three runs scored; Massey was 1 for 2 with a run scored; Jay Lowery was 1 for 2 with a run scored; Maddox was 1 for 2 with a RBI and a run scored; Tippett was 1 for 2 with a RBI; Jonathan Keck was 2 for 4 with a RBI; Stanfil was 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Bethel is 20-9 (4-6) on the season. They will be in conference action beginning on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 2:00pm as they host the eighth ranked Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans. The series will continue on Saturday, March 29, 2008 with a double header slated for a 12:00pm start.