Bethel softball mercy-rules Trinity Christian 15-2, splitting doubleheader

PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill.– The Bethel Pilots (1-3), faced the Trinity Christian Trolls (1-3) as they split the first season’s doubleheader in the Aurora Dome on Wednesday. The Pilots split the day with a 4-3 loss in game one, then mercy-ruled the Trolls 15-2 in the second match of the afternoon.
GAME ONE
At the top of the first, Jordan Markley walked to get the Pilots’ first runner on base. Maddy Shaw smacked a home run to right center, bringing in both her and Jordan Markley to score two runs.
In the top of the third, Jordan Markley doubled to left center. Kate Cooper followed with a single up the middle, allowing Markley to score on the opponent’s throwing error. The Pilots led 3-0, holding Trinity Christian to only one hit until the bottom of the seventh.
After Natalee McNeil struck out a batter, Bethel secured two outs and was one out away from securing a win. McNeil walked two batters to load the bases, then recorded four RBIs off of two singles to win the game 4-3.
McNeil threw 143 pitches for a complete game (6.2 innings), striking out five batters, walked six batters, and gave up four earned ones.
GAME TWO
The Pilots scored a run at the top of the first to initiate their aggressive scoring. Forys walked to get on base, advancing to second after a bunt by Jordan Markley. Maddy Shaw brought Markley in with a double down the left-field line.
At the top of the second, the Pilots totaled four hits and scored five runs. The Trolls walked Paxton Baker and Sonia Yoder, who both hit season highs for runs scored in a single game (two and three runs respectively).
Baker and Yoder took advantage of a wild pitch, each advancing to the next base.
Morgan Blubaum hit a single to left field, bringing in Paxton Baker to score the Pilots’ second run (2-1). Bethel ended the second inning up 6-1 over the Trolls.
In the bottom of the second, McNeil struck out two batters back to back, holding the Trolls to their lone run.
The Bethel beating persisted at the top of the third inning as the Pilots accumulated four more runs. Hannah Goldsborough hit a double to center field to get Bethel on base. Shelby White entered the game to pitch run for Goldsborough. White scored a run (7-1) following Jordan Markley’s single through the left side.
At the top of the fourth inning, Paxton Baker initiated Bethel’s hitting with a double down the left field line. Baker scored following Hannah Goldsborough’s double to left center (11-1).
The Pilot defense only gave up one additional run in the bottom of the fourth, to secure the mercy rule 15-2 in the bottom of the fifth.
Haylee Allen held down the circle for 1.2 innings, as she threw 63 pitches, posted two strikeouts, and yielded one earned run.
Harmony Looney (1-0) earned the win after throwing 2.2 innings, as she threw a total of six pitches, recorded three strikeouts, and gave up one earned run.
Cassidy Ostema closed the door in the fifth in one pitch.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots will travel to Viera, Florida, to compete in the Space Coast Spring Games series during spring break. The Pilots will face St. Thomas University at 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, in the USSSA Space Coast Complex to kick off the series.
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