Softball: Brandel Earns 100; Eyler Goes Yard in Playoff Securing Split vs W&J

Washington, Pa- The Bison made a playoff push during a doubleheader against Washington and Jefferson at Brooks Park in Washington. Bethany played two completely different games which ended in a split; securing their place in the Presidents Athletic Conference Playoff Tournament.

THE BASICS

Final Scores:

Game One: W&J 2, Bethany 1

Game Two: Bethany 11, W&J 3 (Five Innings)

Records:

• W&J (13-18, 10-11 PAC)

• Bethany (25-12, 11-9 PAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE) 

• Bethany was the victim of good defense on multiple occasions. W&J's left side of the infield stole a decent amount of hits that would have given the Bison plenty more opportunities with runners in scoring position. 

• The Bison had a few huge defensive plays of their own taking runs away from the Presidents. Bethany relayed base hits from the outfield to catch base runners trying to stretch an extra 60 feet to score in the third and fourth inning. 

• The play at the plate in the third inning kept the game tied at one. In the top of the inning, the Bison were able to score on a sacrifice fly from Morgan Huey.

• The bottom of the fourth saw the President's first run of the game on a double to the fence with two runners on. A quick relay from Destiny Goodnight to Brooke Markland allowed the Bison to keep the game tied after throwing out the go-ahead run at home.

• The Presidents took the one run lead in the bottom of the sixth off an RBI double.

• The Bison were able to get a runner in scoring position in the top of the seventh, but the runner advanced no further than second base.

BISON LEADERS IN GAME ONE: 

• Huey was 2-3 with the only RBI for the Bison.

• Brooke Markland continued her hitting streak going 2-3. 

• Wise threw a complete game not walking a single batter. 

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO): 

• The lineup did a complete 180 after the break. Eight different Bison drove in a run during their five inning 11-3 victory.

• The Bison picked up momentum with the bats in the top of the second inning. They scored five off the back of a two-run Mary Marshall Double. 

• Bethany tacked on more runs in the third. Haley Eyler launched a solo shot over the left field fence. Huey drove in two runs on a single into the outfield.

• Katelyn Ziems threw all five innings giving up two earned runs on six hits. Her defense traded outs for a run in the bottom of the fifth to lock in a win and a playoff spot. 

BISON LEADERS IN GAME TWO: 

• Angela Brandel earned her 100th hit in this doubleheader. She had a jam packed statline in the Bison's victory going 2-2 with two runs, two RBI, and a walk.

• Huey led the team with three RBI.

• Eyler went yard in her 1-2 performance. She added a walk and three runs scored.

• Marshall was the only other Bison with an extra base hit with her two RBI double.

• Destiny Goodnight, Brooke Marklund, and Miriam Peterson added an RBI.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Bethany secured a spot in the PAC playoffs. They will face Grove City in their first step towards a championship. The Bison will have a morning game in the tournament, playing the Wolverines at 10am at Westminster College on Thursday, May 2nd.