Wildcats News
Wed, May 12, 2010 - [Baseball]
Dustin Blakney pitches in relief against #2 Cumberland University in the TranSouth Conference Tournament
Dustin Blakney pitches in relief against #2 Cumberland University in the TranSouth Conference Tournament
PADUCAH, Ky. (05.11.10) - The Wildcats entered the TranSouth Conference baseball tournament as they number four seed. That set up their first game against the RedHawks of Martin Methodist College. As has been the case for much of the season, Mother Nature played a role. The game was delayed because of rain and the suspended at 12:17am on Monday, May 9, 2010 in the top of the eighth; the game resumed at 10:00am the next morning. Martin scored six runs in the first three innings and held on to win 7-4. That loss put the ‘Cats against the number one seeded Bulldogs of Cumberland University, also the number two team in the nation. Bethel's bats were held in check as Cumberland shutout Bethel 9-0 and ending the Wildcats' season.
 

Martin Methodist Game

With two walks and two hit batters, the RedHawks were able to plate five runs in the first two innings. Bethel scored two in the bottom of the first, one in the third and one in the fifth to get within two, but MMC added an insurance run in the seventh. For the game, Bethel stranded 13 base runners; Martin left 8.

Bethel starting pitcher Nick Purcell went 3.0 innings allowing six runs on seven hits with three strike outs and two walks. Jordan Smith went 3.2 innings giving up a run on one hit; he struck out four and walked one. Joey Wilder closed the game going 2.1 innings allowing one hit with a strike out.

In the first, Shea Thomas led off with a walk. Craig Massey doubled to right and was followed by Johnathan Deberry's walk to load the bases. Courtney Hardaway walked to plate Bethel's first run. Jake Ramsey reached on a fielder's choice that scored Massey and Bethel trailed 3-2 after one.

Trailing 6-2, Bethel would cut the lead in half with a run in the third. J. Deberry led off with a single, stole second and third. With one out, Billy Keck lined a RBI single to make it 6-3.

Bethel would get to within two runs as they scored in the fifth. With one out, Ramsey walked; Zach Tippitt singled and Ramsey went to third; Ramsey would then score on a wild pitch to make the score 6-4.

Cumberland Game

Cumberland scored at least one run in every inning except the seventh as they connected for 18 hits. The Bulldogs starter Aaron Wilkerson tossed a complete game shutout on 112 pitches and gave up seven hits. Bethel did manage three extra base hits; Tippitt, Keck and Massey all doubles. Cumberland left 14 runners on base compared to Bethel's 6.

Bethel starter Colby Fitzpatrick went 3.0 innings allowing four runs on seven hits; he struck out two and walked four. Turner Cripps took the hill for 2.0 innings giving up three runs on eight hits with a strike out. Dustin Blakney pitched 3.0 innings allowing one run on two hits and he struck out three. Senior Jon Patterson pitched the final inning allowing one run on one hit and he struck out one.

Offensively, J. Deberry was 2 for 4; Massey was 1 for 4; Jordan Stack was 1 for 4; Keck 1 for 2; Tippitt 1 for 3 and Jay Lowery was 1 for 3.

Bethel finishes the year 32-17-1 (10-10). The Wildcats reached their highest ranking ever at #13 in the March 30, 2010 NAIA National Poll. The defeated Southern Polytechnic University who was ranked #4 at the time and took one game in the series at Cumberland University when they were ranked #4.