Bison Softball Drops a Pair of Close Decisions

March 9 – CLERMONT, Fla. – The Bethany College softball team fell by one run in both games of their doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon. The Bison were narrowly defeated, 1-0, by both Wheaton College and Wesleyan University.

Bethany opened their doubleheader with a defensive battle against Wheaton College.

Sophomore Samantha Binkley (Arthur, Manitoba, Canada/St. James) started on the mound for the Bison, holding the Thunder scoreless over the first three innings.

Binkley and the Bethany defense continued to work their way out of tough situations, stranding eight Wheaton runners over the first three innings to keep the Bison in the game.

The scoreless tie was finally broken in the fourth as the Thunder leadoff hitter singled to start the inning. After a fielder's choice and consecutive walks, Wheaton managed to scrap one run on the board.

The Bison defense, however, once again got out of the inning with the bases loaded after Binkley induced a pop out to second basemen Ashlee Brill (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster). Wheaton left 15 runners on base in the game.

Bethany made some noise in the fifth after Francesca Capaldi (Steubenville, Ohio/Central Catholic) singled to center field to start the inning. Capaldi moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Emily Folk (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown), but Wheaton made consecutive plays to end the Bison rally.

Wheaton held the Bison offense scoreless in the final two innings to preserve the 1-0 victory.

Binkley pitched well as she went 4 2/3 innings, only allowing one run. Sophomore Cassie Weiss (Washington, Pa./McGuffey) came in for relief, striking out five batters over 2 1/3 and giving up one hit.

Weiss started the second game against Wesleyan as the Bison found themselves in another defensive stronghold.

The two teams failed to tally a run over the first four innings, despite five hits from the Bison. Kayla Kelly (Pasadena, Md./Institute of Notre Dame) recorded a base knock in each of her first two at bats.

Wesleyan broke the 0-0 deadlock in the fifth inning after a leadoff single and a fielding error on the next batter put a Cardinal in scoring position. A sacrifice bunt then moved the runners to second and third, and a sacrifice fly to right field drove in the lead runner to give Wesleyan a one-run lead.

Bethany responded as Marissa Bosley (New Martinsville, W. Va./Magnolia) singled and Sarah Coss (Bowie, Md./Bishop McNamara) bunted to move her to second base. That was as far as Bosley would advance, as two Bison struck out to end the inning.

The Green & White finished the contest with six hits but failed to record a run, ultimately falling 1-0 to the Cardinals. Deanna Mihalco (Patterson, N.Y./Brewster), Jasmine Fuqua (Washington, Pa./Trinity), and T.J. Solomon (Beltsville, Md./Elizabeth Seton) all recorded a hit.

Weiss threw six innings, allowing just four hits and no earned runs.

The Bison return to the diamond on Thursday, March 10 as they take on Lebanon Valley and Haverford in a twin bill. The games are slated for 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. start times.