Bison Notch 12 Hits in Loss

NEW CONCORD, Ohio. – The Bison traveled for their second Ohio road game in as many days to take on the Muskingum Muskies. Bethany was shutout yesterday, but saw the ball well at the plate. They posted 12 hits in the box score, but a very talented Muskingum lineup came through with runners in scoring position to win 10-5.

Nearly Bethany's entire lineup found a hole in this game. The top eight hitters earned a base hit. Jaden Nestor-Fox, Josh Speaker, and Gian DeGenova all had multi-hit games. 

Speaker got his first hit early, lacing an RBI single into shallow center in the top of the first. 

Muskingum answered immediately, putting up four runs in their first at-bat. While Muskingum matched Bethany's offensive hot-streak with 12 hits, the mistakes are what got the Bison in trouble.

Bethany had five errors throughout the game. When combining those errors with five walks and five plunked batters, it becomes hard to rely on the offense to keep up. 

The Bison put runners in scoring position frequently throughout the game, but wasn't as efficient as their opponents. Muskingum is 14-2 and receiving national votes, which should make Bison fans excited about the lineup going forward. They have consistently hit baseballs hard, even in games where the run production didn't match (such as John Carroll). 

The Bison didn't give up, pushing home two runs in the ninth to keep Muskingum on the edge. Chad Behrendt and Devin Toothman each came off the bench and drove in a run. However, it was too little too late as the Bison fell in their second straight game of the week.

Bethany's next game day has been changed. They will now play their first Presidents Athletic Conference games of the season against Saint Vincent on Friday. The first of two begins at 1 p.m.