Softball: Bison opens the season 2-0 at Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Bethany College earned their first two wins of the 2024 season in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic Saturday afternoon. The Bison held on for a 4-3 victory over Anna Maria and a 1-0 win over Rockford.     

Game One Overview

Bethany 4, Anna Maria 3

Bethany jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Destiny Goodnight reached base by drawing a walk and later scored off a Haley Eyler ground out to shortstop. After holding Anna Maria scoreless for the next two innings, the Bison scored two more runs in the third to extend their lead to 3-0.

Angela Brandel led the Bison off with a single followed by a Goodnight single. Katelyn Ziems drove in Brandel followed by Eyler's reach on a fielder's choice that drove in Goodnight.

Anna Maria cut the deficit to two, but Bethany had a response in the fourth. Brandel singled to drive in pinch runner Audrey Tobesman.

The sixth inning saw a slight shift in momentum after the Amcats scored two runs cutting the deficit to 4-3. The Amcats tried to get a runner to cross the plate in the seventh but the Bison were able to hold off and take the victory.  

Bison Leaders Game One

• Shelby Barnett earned the win pitching 7.0 innings with five strikeouts and two walks.
• Destiny Goodnight reached base in all four plate appearances with three hits and one walk. She crossed the plate twice.
• Angela Brandel went 3-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
• Haley Eyler had two RBIs.

Game Two Overview

Bethany 1, Rockford 0  

The Bison opened game two scoring the first and only run of the game. Back-to-back doubles gave the Bison the early lead. Haley Eyler's double drove in Morgan Huey.

Bison Leaders Game Two

• Josie Wise earned the complete game shutout victory. She struck out five and walked two.
• Morgan Huey and Haley Eyler both had two hits apiece.
• Brooke Markland drew two walks.

Records:

Bethany College Bison –2-0 (0-0 PAC)

Rockford University – 1-1

Anna Maria College – 1-1

Up Next:

The Bison return to the diamond on Sunday, Mar. 3 against Anna Maria at 9 am and Postdam at 1 pm in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Florida.