Bison Split Pair of Games on Opening Day of 2016 Season

March 5 – CLERMONT, Fla. – The Bethany College softball team split their opening two games of the 2016 campaign at their annual spring break trip in Clermont, Fla. The Green & White defeated Case Western Reserve University, 3-2, after falling to Washington University (Mo.), 10-0, in the first contest.

The Bison (1-1) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning against Case Western (5-5). Kayla Kelly (Pasadena, Md./Institute of Notre Dame) led off the inning with a single and scored on a two-out double from Deanna Mihalco (Patterson, N.Y./Brewster). Marissa Bosley (New Martinsville, W. Va./Magnolia) followed that up with a single of her own to drive in Mihalco and give Bethany a two-run cushion.

The Bison held the Spartans scoreless over the next five innings as sophomore Samantha Binkely (Arthur, Manitoba, Canada/St. James) found her groove early on the mound. Binkley struck out six and only allowed four hits through five innings.

Case Western finally got to Binkley in the bottom of the sixth after the leadoff hitter singled to start the inning. After walking the next batter and surrendering another single, the Spartans got on the scoreboard to make it 2-1.

Binkley recorded one out before she was replaced by Cassie Weiss (Washington, Pa./McGuffey). Weiss managed to get the Bison out of the inning with the score tied at 2-2 with the help of a pickoff from catcher Marissa Bosley (New Martinsville, W. Va./Magnolia) to third basemen Sarah Coss (Bowie, Md./Bishop McNamara) to rid the potential winning run with one out remaining. Weiss then struck out the final batter to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, right fielder Emily Folk started the Bison rally with a hit to the right side. Aubrey Baehr (Evans City, Pa./Seneca Valley) followed that up with a single of her own before Ashley Brill (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) gave Bethany a 3-2 lead with an RBI single.

Weiss closed out the game for the Bison as a strikeout and clutch fielding helped Bethany hold on for the one-run victory.

Mihalco finished 3-of-4 at the plate to lead the Bison offense. Kelly and Brill each recorded two hits as the Green & White totaled 11 hits.

In the opening game against Washington University, Weiss got the start on the hill. She struck out three as the Bethany offense struggled to find its' groove against the Bears. Washington recorded nine hits, taking down the Bison, 10-0.

Bethany College softball will return to action on Sunday, March 6 as they take on Misericordia and Saint Mary's (Ind.) in a doubleheader. The games are slated for 9 and 11 a.m. starts.