Softball: Bison Split in Two Close Games vs Yellow Jackets

Waynesburg, Pa.- The Bison continue to have a flair for the dramatic as they split against the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets in a pair of one run games. Bethany won the first game in extras, but fell just short in game two. 

THE BASICS

Final Scores:

Game One: Bethany 3, Waynesburg 2 (eight innings)

Game Two: Waynesburg 6, Bethany 5

Records:

• Waynesburg (16-11, 7-5 PAC)

• Bethany (22-7, 8-6 PAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE) 

• Josie Wise had another solid game on the mound, earning her third consecutive victory. It is easy to focus on the one stat that stands out, the two run home run given up in the fourth. However, outside of that one blip, Wise's statline was nothing short of exceptional. Excluding the fourth inning, the senior gave up two singles and a walk while striking out four. Wise threw all eight innings for Bethany.

• Playing in rhythm to the rest of the month, the Bison took some time before scoring. The dugout could feel that they were on the brink of cracking the code, leaving runners in scoring position in the third and fourth inning. 

• Team RBI leader Mary Marshall came through for her squad to tie the game at two. With the bases loaded, Marshall sent a pitch right back up the middle for a two run single.

• Neither team was able to score in the final two innings of scheduled softball, meaning the PAC was able to get more than they asked for entering the eighth.

• Bethany took advantage of an error in the top of the inning. Haley Eyler drove a pitch to the opposite field for an RBI double to give the Bison a one run lead. 

• Wise allowed a walk to start the home half of the eighth. After retiring the next two hitters, she got some help as Morgan Huey caught the runner trying to swipe second to end the game with a Bison victory. 

BISON LEADERS IN GAME ONE: 

• Wise threw a complete game, including the extra inning, earning her 12th win of the season.

• Eyler had a huge game going 3-3 with a walk. Two of her hits were doubles, including her go-ahead RBI double in extras. 

• Marshall was 2-4 with her pivotal two RBI single.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO): 

•  The next game was just as exciting although saw plenty more offense from both teams.

• The Bison crossed home first. Savvy baserunning gave the Bison a lead in the second that was expanded upon in the top of the third. Marshall sacrificed herself to score Destiny Goodnight from third. A few batters later Brooke Markland drove a ball for a ground rule double forcing a run home. The Bison held a 3-0 for a short time. 

• Waynesburg answered back in the bottom of the inning to bring the game within one, but did most of their damage in the following inning. The Yellow Jackets put together three consecutive hits with runners on to put up four runs on the board. 

• The Bethany bench got rowdy in inning number six when Elyer clubbed a ball over the fence for a two run home run. That brought the game within one run. Unfortunately for the Bison, the offense wasn't able to reach base safely afterwards. The Yellow Jackets force a split winning game two. 

BISON LEADERS IN GAME TWO: 

• Eyler's two run homer was the only multi-RBI effort in the Bison lineup. She added a walk in three plate appearances. 

• Marshall and Markland earned an RBI. Markland's coming from a ground rule double.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Bethany will try to shine brighter than the lights they play under against the Chatham Cougars. The nighttime doubleheader will begin at 6:30 on Wednesday, April 17th.