GOSHEN, Ind. — The Bethel Pilots (7-11, 2-2) split the day against the Goshen Maple Leafs in the US Highway 20 Cup on Friday.
GAME 1
Goshen struck in the bottom of the first from a bases-clearing double to left that resulted in a runner on third due to an error by the left fielder and gave the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead.
The Maple Leafs added an insurance run in the second from a solo homer to left, but Bethel answered with a big three-run blast over the left-center wall by Jordan Markley to tie the game 3-3.
Paxton Baker roped in Kate Cooper with a double down the left field line to continue the third and Grace Walker hit in Baker and Harmoney Looney to extend the advantage to 6-3.
In the bottom of the third, Goshen fired back with a dropped fly ball by the center fielder and a two-RBI single up the middle to tie the game 6-6.
Looney singled to left in the top of the fifth to take the lead back 7-6, then Maddy Shaw smashed a two-run homer over the center field wall and won the first game 9-6.
Ryen Clair received the win (1-2) after throwing five innings only allowing one hit and walking one batter.
GAME 2
Bethel opened the scoring in another highly offensive game with two runs off Goshen’s errors, bringing in Morgan Blubaum and Markley.
In the bottom of the first, Goshen slapped a two-run home run over centerfield to tie the game, then hit a grand slam to grow to a 6-2 advantage.
Goshen added another run in the bottom of the second from a throwing error by the Pilot pitcher 7-2.
Cooper homered down the left field line to score three runs in the top of the third and roped in Alyssa Forys off a double to left-center, 7-6 Goshen.
The Maple Leafs tallied two more in the bottom of the fourth from an RBI single to center and an RBI single through the right side and jumped to a 9-6 lead, but Maddy Shaw hit a two-run bomb and fell short 9-8.
The Pilots face the Huntington Foresters on Saturday, March 15 for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on the road at the HU Softball Field.
Haylee Allen was given the loss (1-2) after starting the game with two outs and allowed six hits, six runs, and walked two batters.