FIVE GAME WIN-STREAK ENDS WITH LOSSES TO AVILA; DROPS SERIES 1-2

Kansas City, Mo. – The Bethany College Swedes Baseball team had to make some arrangements to play their series against the Avila University Eagles. What was supposed to be a series played in Lindsborg, Kan. on the Swedes home field on a Saturday and Sunday, turned into a both teams playing in Kansas City, Mo. on Sunday and Monday.

GAME 1 – SWEDES 9, EAGLES 4

The first inning started off great until a failed third out turned into three Eagle runs later on in the inning. Alex Cuevas would hit a tank over left field scoring himself and Josue Figuera to cut it to 3-2. The Eagles would score again in the fifth inning by way of a sacrifice fly; the fourth unearned run to score for Avila.

The eighth inning showcased one heck of a rally in favor of the Swedes. Cuevas tallied his second hit of the day – this time a single – scoring Diego Rivera. William Sanchez stepped up to the plate next and also hit a single, this one scoring Figuera and Fernando Bones to put the Swedes on top 5-4 and leading to a pitching change for the Eagles. The Swedes were not done yet as Danny Barker would ground into a fielder's choice scoring Cuevas and Sanchez. Bones would cap off the scoring with a single to left field that scored Will Parsons and Jonathan Crist. Bethany would handle business in the ninth inning to close this one out with a 9-4 victory.

Alex Cuevas starred in this one going 2-2 at the plate with a homerun and three RBI. Jonathan Crist, Emmanuel Alicea, and William Sanchez would each record two hits as well.

Luka Morales drew the start going four innings while allowing five hits and three unearned runs and striking out five. Willian Figueroa-Soto would finish it out from there lasting five innings allowing one hit and striking out eight.

GAME 2 – SWEDES 2, EAGLES 4

Things started out similar to game 1 as the Eagles would score two by way of a homerun in the first inning. In the third, William Sanchez would draw a walk, steal second, and score via a double hit to left field by Fabian Dumey. The Eagles would hit another two-run shot in the sixth inning which would ultimately be the game winner. Emmanuel Alicea's solo shot in the bottom of the eight would not be enough as Avila would end the Bethany's five-game win streak with a 4-2 win.

Alicea would tally two of the Swedes' four hits on the afternoon with one being a solo shot in the eighth inning.

Joseph Guzman started game 2 and went 5.1 innings allowing six hits and four runs while striking out four. Kenneth Nieves would carry the load the rest of the way going 3.2 innings without allowing a single baserunner and striking out six.

GAME 3 – SWEDES 1, EAGLES 2

Game three witnessed plenty of hits, but neither team was able to cash in. All of the scoring happened in the sixth inning as the Eagles hit a two RBI single to take the lead. Rafael Perez hit a solo shot in the bottom of the inning, but that is all that the Swedes would muster. Bethany would fall 1-2.

Connor Crayton, Alex Cuevas, and Rafael Perez would each tally two hits throughout the contest. The Swedes would leave 12 runners on base with seven of them in scoring position.

Christian Gonzalez would open on the mound and go 5.1 innings allowing four hits, three walks and both runs while striking out five. Alex Martinez would finish it off with the final 1.2 innings allowing only one hit.

Up Next…

The Swedes will return home only to hit the road again; this time to Springfield, Mo. to take on the Evangel University Valor. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, February 28, while games 2 and 3 are scheduled for Saturday, March 1. First pitch of game 1 is set for 1:00 PM while game 2 will begin at 12:00 PM.