Bat Cats Drop Regular Season Finale in Slugfest at Lindsey Wilson

COLUMBIA, Ky.- The Bethel Wildcats battled back with a six-run sixth inning but could not hold off a late surge from Lindsey Wilson, falling 11-10 on Saturday at Egnew Park.

Trailing 4-2 entering the sixth, the Wildcats erupted offensively to take control of the game. Carter Hedges sparked the rally with a solo home run to right-center before Zayden McCaslin delivered an RBI single to tie the game. Evan Cardwell followed with a two-run double, and Adriel Vega capped the inning with a two-run homer to give Bethel an 8-4 advantage.

Lindsey Wilson answered in the bottom of the seventh, capitalizing on timely hitting and Bethel miscues to plate seven runs and reclaimed the lead at 11-8. The Blue Raiders collected five hits in the frame, with multiple runs scoring unearned.

Bethel continued to fight, trimming the deficit in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Vega before adding another run in the ninth on an RBI groundout by CJ Lattimore. The Wildcats brought the tying run to the plate but were unable to complete the comeback.

Vega led the Bethel offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Cardwell added two hits and two RBIs, while McCaslin scored three times and reached base four times. Hedges also contributed a pair of hits, including his home run.

On the mound, Bethel used five pitchers in the contest. Matt Ray provided a strong relief outing with three scoreless innings. Preston Gentry was charged with the loss.

Bethel finished with 13 hits but was hurt by six errors, which played a key role in Lindsey Wilson's late rally. The Blue Raiders had 16 hits on the day.

Bethel (11-28, 5-13) and Lindsey Wilson (19-27 ,9 -9) will play in the MSC Tournament next week in Bowling Green.

Details on the tournament  and the tournament bracket will be released this weekend.