Lady Cats Advance-Coach Weeks Collects Career Win No. 100
LEBANON, Tenn. –The Bethel Lady Wildcats put together two impressive opening round wins Friday to advance to Bowling Green.
No. 7 seed Bethel (22-26) defeated sixth-seeded Cumberland (19-23) 7-6 in game one in Lebanon.
The Phoenix led 2-0 after the first inning on a Mariah Clark home run. After each team scored a run in the second, Bethel added a run in the third to make it 3-2. Cumberland increased its lead to 5-2 following the fourth inning. Bethel fought back tying the game in the top of the sixth before Cumberland regained the lead in the bottom half 6-5. The Wildcats added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh for the 7-6 victory.
The Cats outhit CU 13-12. Melanie Alexander led the attack with three hits. Leah Beasley also had three hits for the Cats. Kaylie McKinley picked up the victory in relief. The win was the 100th career victory for Coach John Weeks.
After a scoreless three innings, the Wildcats added two runs in the top of the fourth in game two. Bethel added another run in the top of the seventh for the 3-0 series-clinching victory over the Phoenix.
Bethel outhit the Phoenix 8-3. Emma Johnson led the Cats with two hits. . Freshman Maria Murdaugh scored two of the Bethel three runs. Madison Haught went the distance with the three-hit shutout.
The tournament continues Thursday May 5 at South Warren High in Bowling Green, Ky. Action gets started on Thursday at 1 p.m. CT with Tennessee Southern taking on Bethel. The winner will face top-seeded Freed-Hardeman on Friday at 11 a.m. CT. Thursday wraps up with Lindsey Wilson hosting Georgetown at 3:30 p.m. CT. The winner will face No. 2 seed Campbellsville Friday at 1:30 p.m. CT.
Friday will also feature two elimination games at 4 and 6:30 p.m. CT. The winners bracket final is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on Saturday with the loser's bracket semifinal taking place at 1:30 p.m. CT. The loser's bracket final will take place on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday May 8 at Noon CT with the if-necessary to follow.