Softball: Shutout Victory Allows Bison to Split

BETHANY, W.Va. - The Bison remain .500 in President Athletic Conference matchups after splitting the doubleheader against Westminster. The Bison came up short in game one, but were able to bounce back in a shutout victory in game two.

THE BASICS

Final Scores:

Game One: Westminster 5, Bethany 3

Game Two: Bethany 4, Westminster 0

Records:

• Westminster (14-8, 7-3 PAC)

• Bethany (17-6, 5-5 PAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE) 

• The Bison made a splash immediately in the bottom of the first. Back to back extra base hits landed the first run of the game. With Morgan Huey standing on second, Mary Marshall found some open space down the line for an RBI triple. 

• The Titans managed to coordinate shifts on second base in the third inning. Back to back doubles tied the game at one. The next batter also put a ball on the outfield and found themselves on second; although a terrific throw from Trista Morris in right field caught the go-ahead run at home plate in plenty of time. 

• The lead entered Bethany's hands once more in the bottom of the inning. Huey scored her second run of the game -also from a triple- when Hayley Eyler laced a pitch to the base of the wall in right center. Miriam Peterson followed that up with a single up the middle to bring home Eyler. That pair of runs gave Bethany a 3-1 lead.

• Westminster tied the game with one swing on an RBI double in the fifth. The Titans then took the lead in the following inning by stringing together a few hits. 

• Bethany was unable to come back from being down 5-3. Since their last score in the third, the Bison weren't able to reach base safely once.

BISON LEADERS IN GAME ONE: 

• Huey was 2-3 with a double and two runs. 

• Marshall and Eyler ended 1-3 with an RBI triple. 

• Peterson earned her first extra base hit of the year and an RBI. 

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO): 

• The Bison were quiet both at the plate and in the field until a throw home from the outfield ended the third inning in dramatic fashion. The dugout then had an extra pep in their step. 

• They reinforced that energy in the next inning after putting up a two-spot. Some savvy baserunning by Marshall brought the Bison their first run of the game. Then a single by Elizabeth Shubert made it two to nothing.

• While the Bison were grinding out runs, Katelyn Ziems was having a day on the mound. She worked out of multiple jams with runners in scoring position and less than two-outs. Ziems allowed six hits in her complete game shutout. A collective of weak ground balls, shallow pop flys, and four strikeouts were what Ziems used to earn the win.

• The Bison managed some insurance runs in the sixth, however they were unnecessary with Ziems exceptional performance. The Bison won in shutout fashion over the Titans in game two. 

BISON LEADERS IN GAME TWO:

• Ziems threw a complete game shutout. She didn't allow a single walk while striking out four.

• Brooke Markland earned an RBI on a squeeze play in the sixth. 

• Shubert had an RBI single. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

Bethany will have a tall task as they try to crack the offensive code against the stingy Waynesburg Yellow Jackets pitching. Bethany travels on Thursday, April 11th to play a doubleheader beginning at 3:30.