Baseball: Beatty drives in three as Bison win on Opening Day

Drew VonScio, Student Assistant for Athletic Communications 

BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany baseball hosted La Roche in a single nine-inning contest Sunday afternoon at Bethany Park. Led by senior first baseman Luke Beatty's three-RBI game, the Green and White were able to knock off the Redhawks by a score of 5-2.

The Bison struck early in the bottom of the first inning when third baseman Alec Berg walked which was followed by designated hitter CJ Owens reaching on a single. Beatty delivered a single down the right field line scoring both baserunners to give the Bison an early 2-0 lead.

Bethany would tack on the next two runs of the game with center fielder Nick Roell reached courtesy of an error from La Roche's shortstop before crossing the plate as a result of a wild pitch. Owens would reach from a free pass, and back-to-back singles from Beatty and Grant Schaffner brought him home a few moments later.

Bison starting pitcher Mark Lavezza worked through the first four innings of the contest scoreless as he was very efficient much of the day. He ran into some trouble in the fifth inning when he conceded an unearned run that reached base as a result of a two-out Bethany error. Lavezza pitching 4.2 innings while striking out four, walking just one, and conceding four hits.

Trey Mantle would enter the game in relief of Lavezza who only needed one pitch to get the Bison out of the jam in the fifth inning. Mantle would go on to finish out the game on the mound for the Green and White.

La Roche tacked on a second run just an inning later when Mantle would concede a double to start the inning. After retiring one batter, he would give up a single that cut the Redhawks' deficit down to two runs. The junior right-hander would post scoreless innings the rest of the way.

Bethany wasn't done offensively as they would quickly respond in the bottom of the sixth. Singles from Colton Stoneman and Berg allowed Beatty to come to the plate with runners at the corners. An infield single was all he needed to bring home Stoneman as the Bison posted an insurance run.

The Bison start their season in the win column and will look to keep the momentum going on Saturday when they host Pitt-Bradford in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.