Posted: May 04, 2024

Baseball: Mantle Breaks School Record; McKee Has a Six Hit Day in Season Ender

New Wilmington, Pa. - The baseball team traveled to Westminster College for their final two games of the 2024 season. The Bison were unable to edge out an extra inning game one, and fell victim to a sweep against the Titans in game two.

THE BASICS

Final Scores:

Game One: Westminster 3, Bethany 2 (10 innings)

Game Two: Westminster 9, Bethany 4

Records:

Westminster: (18-20, 11-9 PAC)
Bethany: (10-28, 3-17 PAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)

Despite the Bison out-hitting the Titans with nine hits to three, Bethany could not outscore Westminster in game one.
The hit column is slightly misleading as the Titans did reach base safely more often. They walked seven times while the Bison didn't reach base once via walking.
Trey Mantle had a solid outing where he completed seven innings only allowing two hits, walking three, and gave up two earned runs. In the process of this quality start, Mantle broke the record for all time innings pitched in a Bethany jersey. His 252 and two-third innings pitched edges out Adam Martin's 252 innings by a few outs.
Offensively, the Bison scored their runs in the first half of the game. Josh Speaker started the game in the right way with a deep double to right field. He was knocked in by Grant Schaffner on the following play. Bethany's next run came in the fourth inning when the middle of the lineup connected two singles- a Payton Zupko bunt and a Tyler McKee single into center.
Westminster got on the board in the fifth inning despite only getting one hit. Productive at bats moved a hit batter and a walk over into scoring position with two outs. A double down the right field line scored both and tied the game with one swing.
Both teams had multiple runners in scoring position in the ninth, but the inability to drive anybody home pushed the game into extras.
The Bison had a chance with a runner on second with less than two outs in the 10th inning. The heart of the lineup couldn't score Mike Hines after a leadoff single.
Then Bethany walked a batter, threw away a pickoff attempt, and made another throwing error to end the game without giving up a single hit in the bottom of the inning.

BISON LEADERS IN GAME ONE:

Mantle broke the record for career innings pitched.
Speaker was 2-5 with a double that turned into a run.
McKee was 2-4 with an RBI.
Nick Roell had another multi-hit game going 2-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO):

The Bison had to climb out a six run hole after the first inning as the Titans batted around.
They scored the following inning. McKee led off with a single. He would eventually score with two outs off a Devin Toothman single.
Westminster got that run back in the bottom of the second to keep their six run lead.
Bethany went to make a late push scoring three runs in the eighth inning. Zupko hit his sixth home run of the year. This one being a two-run shot to left field.
McKee continued his great day at the plate with his second double of the game. He was driven in by Hayden Fox for Fox's first RBI of the season.
While the Bison made some noise, it was too little too late. Westminster completed the sweep in a 9-4 victory.