EARLY DEFICITS SPURN SWEDES; LOSE SERIES 1-2

Springfield, Mo. – The Bethany College Swedes Baseball team went right back on the road, this time, to Springfield, Mo. to take on the Evangel University Valor.

GAME 1: SWEDES 19, VALOR 9 (8-INNINGS)

Bethany exploded for runs early and often. Alexander Cuevas opened up the onslaught in the second inning with a solo shot over center field followed by Rafael Perez who did the same thing, but over left field. The Swedes would score at least two runs in every inning besides the first and third. Bethany would end this one early with a 19-9 victory in eight innings.

The Swedes would tally 13 hits while facing seven batters. Cuevas hit two homeruns and totaled five RBI in the lone game of the evening. Cuevas would also join Jonathan Crist, William Sanchez, and Manny Leos in touching home plate three times.

Luka Morales would draw the start, but Willian Figueroa-Soto would record the win. Austin Arrocha and Preston Senter would each throw a complete innings in the victory.

GAME 2: SWEDES 6, VALOR 8

Game 2 started off poorly for the Swedes as they would find themselves down 1-7 after three innings. Fernando Bones would tack on a couple of sacrifice flies in the fifth and seven innings, but the Valor would tack on one more in between Bones' RBIs. Bethany would score three more in the eighth inning, but would not be able to overcome the early deficit falling 6-8.

Jonathan Crist would lead the way at the plate going 2-3 while also drawing a walk and driving one home. Crist joined Josue Figuera in swiping one base each.

Joseph Guzman opened the contest for the Swedes, but would not last long before Kenneth Nieves stepped in in relief until the start of the third inning. Aidan Troup entered to start the third and last four innings while striking out four. Domingo Azevedo would have the best outing of the contest going two complete innings while allowing just one hit and one walk.

GAME 3: SWEDES 3, VALOR 5

The Swedes would find themselves down early again allowing three in the first inning and one in the third. Bethany would finally jump on the board in the sixth as Alexander Cuevas singled home Emmanuel Alicea. William Sanchez would homer home Cuevas and himself to cut it to 3-4, but the Valor would tack on one more ultimately leading to a 3-5 loss for the Swedes. The Valor would take the series 2-1.

Sanchez was a perfect 2-2 with a walk and homerun.

Christian Gonzalez opened Game 3 on the mound and went five innings allowing 10 base runners while striking out four. Alex Martinez pitched the final inning for the Swedes allowing just two hits and one run.

Up Next…

The Swedes will return home for their rescheduled Game 3 against the Sterling College Warriors. First pitch is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, at 1:00 PM. Bethany currently leads the season series 2-0 and are looking to secure the season sweep.