Wildcats Split Opening Doubleheader with Tennessee Southern
MCKENZIE, Tenn. - The Bethel Wildcats opened their 2026 campaign with a doubleheader split against the Tennessee Southern Firehawks Friday at the Kahlden Complex, taking game one 4-3 before falling 10-3 in the nightcap.
Game One: Bethel 4, Tennessee Southern 3
The Wildcats (1-0) used timely hitting and strong pitching to edge the Firehawks (2-3) in the opener.
Bethel struck first in the bottom of the first inning and added key insurance runs in the fourth to build a 4-1 advantage. Juan Diego Ramos led the way offensively, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Evan Cardwell delivered the biggest swing of the game with a solo home run, finishing with an RBI and a run scored. Carter Hedges also drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.
On the mound, Walker Ward earned the win, working 4.2 innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out three. After Tennessee Southern trimmed the deficit to 4-3, Klayton Wright slammed the door with 2.1 innings of hitless relief to secure the save.
The Wildcats were opportunistic in the opener, drawing four walks and capitalizing on hit batters to manufacture runs in key moments.
Game Two: Tennessee Southern 10, Bethel 3
The Firehawks responded in a big way in game two, erupting for seven runs in the first inning and never looked back.
Tennessee Southern (3-3) tallied 10 runs on 10 hits, highlighted by a home run and three RBIs from Reagan Tomlin and a triple from Zac Wilson. Devin Thrain and Evan Nelson each added RBIs as the Firehawks capitalized on early free passes and wild pitches.
Bethel (1-1) answered with a run in the first and added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Garrett Taylor homered and drove in a run, while Cade Pilkinton contributed two RBIs. CJ Lattimore added a double and scored twice.
After the difficult first inning, the Wildcats bullpen settled in. Preston Gentry, Carter Naramore, and Jacob Walls combined to limit further damage over the final 6.1 innings, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
Head Coach Rusty Thompson emphasized growth and resilience following the split.
"I liked the way we competed in game one and how our bullpen responded all day," Thompson said. "Game two got away from us early, but our guys didn't quit. We have to clean up the free passes and defensive mistakes, but I'm proud of the fight. It's early, and we'll be ready to go tomorrow."
The Wildcats will return to action tomorrow on the road against Tennessee Southern with first pitch set for 11 a.m. as the series shifts to Pulaski.
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