DAVENPORT, Fla.—The Bethel Pilots (6-4, 1-3) defeated the Cornerstone University Golden Eagles (0-6, 0-0) in their first doubleheader for the Russ Matt Invitational.
GAME ONE
In the bottom of the first, Bethel’s Jordan Landkrohn walked to first following two outs. Jacob Sitterly smacked a double down the right field line to bring Jordan Landkrohn in for the first Pilot run of the game and the last of the inning.
In the top of the second, Mast continued his no-hit streak. The first batter grounded out to left field, the second grounded out to shortstop, and the last batter struck out swinging.
In the top of the third, the Golden Eagles posted five runs on the board following three hits.
The Pilots showcased an epic five runs off four hits in the bottom of the third. Hudson Francis singled to third and advanced to third base following a single to right field by teammate Adam Walters.
Jordan Landkrohn singled up the middle to bring home both Hudson Francis and Adam Walters, who found himself in scoring position after stealing second. Bethel trailed 5-3.
Jacob Sitterly made it to first after taking a pitch at the plate. Corbin Greenslade lined out to right field but advanced Jordan Landkrohn to third.
With two outs, Elijah Gaines hit his first home run of the season to left field to bring in Sitterly and Landkrohn.
Dylan Cook struck out swinging as the Pilots ended the third up 6-5 runs.
In the top of the fourth, Cornerstone retaliated with a homer, tying the score 6-6. The Pilots got the final out by Jordan Landkrohn.
Neither team put runs on the board until the bottom of the fifth when Jacob Sitterly stepped up to the plate. Teammates Jordan Landkrohn and Jesse Stout were on base, with Stout in scoring position.
Jacob Sitterly doubled down the right field line, bringing in Jesse Stout as Bethel led 7-6.
Corbin Greenslade posted a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing in Jordan Landkrohn.
The Pilots increased their lead 8-6 and won the game by two runs following no hits by the Golden Eagles in either inning.
Peter Wallsmith was the winning pitcher, pitching 3.1 innings striking out five batters, and throwing 49 pitches.
Noah Borwege was the save pitcher, pitching one inning, throwing 16 pitches, and striking out three batters.
Luke Mast pitched 2.2 innings, struck out two batters, and threw a total of 55 pitches.
GAME TWO
The Pilots posted two runs on the board in the top of the first. Jesse Stout hit his first home run of the season to left field, bringing in teammate Adam Walters, who reached on an error by the third baseman.
Jordan Landkrohn smacked a triple to right center but failed to score following a double play by the Golden Eagles.
Corbin Greenslade held Cornerstone to zero hits in the bottom of the first, striking out two batters swinging.
Neither team saw any hits until the bottom of the third when Cornerstone hit a single up the middle off Greenslade. The Golden Eagles saw their final out following a pop-up to Bethel’s shortstop, Jesse Stout.
In the top of the fourth, the Pilots scored three runs off of four hits. Corbin Greenslade kickstarted Bethel’s batting with a double down the left-field line.
Peyton Workman entered the game to pitch run for Greenslade.
Lucas Thorn doubled to right field, bringing in Workman. Bethel led the score three runs to zero. Logan Bevier pitch ran for Thorn. Drew Deming reached first on a fielder’s choice.
Hudson Francis singled to right field to bring in Drew Deming, who scored from second after a successful stolen base. The Pilots led 4-0.
Adam Walters singled to third base, bringing in Hudson Francis following his successful steal and advancement to third on a wild pitch.
The Pilots concluded the top of the fourth up 5-0.
The Golden Eagles posted two runs in the bottom of the fourth.
In the top of the fifth, Bethel only saw one hit but held the Golden Eagles to zero in the bottom of the fifth.
To kick off the sixth inning, Lucas Thorn singled to left field, and Logan Bevier entered the game to pitch run for Thorn.
Hudson Francis reached first on an error by the shortstop, as Bevier advanced to second.
Following a pitching change by Cornerstone, Francis advanced to second and Bevier advanced to third on a wild pitch.
The Golden Eagles walked Adam Walters as the Pilots had the bases loaded.
Jesse Stout brought in Logan Bevier after being hit by a pitch and advancing to first. The Pilots ended the top of the sixth up 6-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, Cornerstone saw two hits but scored zero runs.
In the seventh inning, Bethel posted zero hits as compared to Cornerstone’s three (two runs scored). The Pilots concluded the game up 6-4.
Konner Lake was the winning pitcher, pitching three innings and throwing 44 pitches.
Corbin Greenslade pitched three innings, striking out four batters and throwing 53 pitches.
Preston Stutzman pitched 0.2 innings, striking out one batter and throwing 28 pitches.
Noah Lyons was the save pitcher, pitching 0.1 innings, striking out one batter, and throwing four pitches.
Bethel will next compete against Trinity Baptist College on Saturday, Mar. 1, at 2:00 p.m. They will take the field in Auburndale, Fla. at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.