Cats Open Softball Season with Doubleheader Sweep

MCKENZIE, Tenn. - The Bethel Lady Wildcat softball squad started their season on the right foot defeating visiting Indiana University Southeast in a pair of games at Lady Wildcat Park Friday afternoon. IUS received votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll. The program won 48 games last season. 

Those facts and numbers did not intimidate the Wildcats as Bethel took game one 12-4 in five innings and then rallied with a 6-5 win in game two.

Game One Recap:

All-American Melanie Alexander began the season with a double in game one. Alexander advanced on a pass ball. Freshman Maria Murdaugh walked and stole second. Alexander scored on a throwing error by the catcher.   Kayla Gillespie doubled driving in Murdaugh and Bethel led 2-0 after one. 

In the bottom of the third, Madison White had a two run RBI single driving in Gillespie and Murdaugh. The Wildcats led 4-0 after three.

Indiana Southeast scored a single run in the top of the fourth, but Bethel answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Kennedy Gillespie hit a three-run homer off the top of the center field fence. The Cats scored another run on a Jade Brallier RBI single to lead 8-1 after four.

The Grenadiers pushed across three runs in the top of the fifth to cut Bethel's lead to 8-4.  Bethel run ruled IUS with four runs in the bottom of the inning.  Kennedy Gillespie knocked in two more runs. White doubled in a run and Bethel won when Alexis Wheeler scored on a IUS error. 

Bethel outhit the visitors 11-5.

Game One highlights:

 Alexander and Murdaugh scoring three runs each.

Murdaugh, along with her hit walked twice in the game.

Gillespie drove in five runs while White finished with two hits.

Senior Alexis Wheeler scored twice in the win. Maddie Locke picked up the win. 

Game Two Recap:

Trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth in game two, the Cats scored three runs to win 6-5. Murdaugh had an RBI double which was followed by a Kayla Gillespie game winning two run single.

Game Two highlights:

Murdaugh had two doubles, scored two runs and drove in a run.

Kayla Gillespie drove in two runs.

Kennedy Gillespie had two hits and drove in a run.

Wheeler and Leah Beasley each finished with an RBI. 

Kaylie McKinley was the winning hurler for the Wildcats.

Bethel outhit IUS 8-6.

Coach John Weeks said "It was a good day but not without some mistakes. We had several clutch moments and some players really stepped up in each game. We beat a very good team which is receiving votes in the national poll. We will continue to work hard and look to improve each outing."

The Wildcats return to action in a tri-match Friday and Saturday hosting Trinity International and Williams Baptist. Watch for previews of the games at www.bethelahletics.com.

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