Bethany Rallies to Sweep Oregon Tech
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Bethany University rallied for five runs in the ninth inning to take the nightcap and held on for a 4-2 win after notching three runs in the first inning of today’s opener, sweeping the Owls at home 4-2 and 5-3.
Oregon Tech is even at 20-20 on the year and holds a slight lead in the NAIA West South Division standings at 12-9. Bethany moves to 9-19 overall and 9-10 in the NAIA West South Division.
Bethany pushed across three runs in the top of the first inning of game 1, which proved to be all the runs the visiting Bruins would need.
Oregon Tech hurler Matt Bellando took the loss in the opener, but pitched well, giving up no earned runs and scattering seven hits in the loss. The Oregon Tech bats, however, managed just five hits in game 1.
Tech notched an opening inning run on a balk, but went quietly until the seventh inning when a Trent Smith RBI fielder’s choice scored Cory Spires, who earlier doubled, for the Owls other run of the game. Cory Staniforth also doubled in the opener for Tech, as the Owls fell 4-2.
Oregon Tech looked to be in control of game 2 behind a 3-0 lead and an 11 strikeout effort from starting pitcher Shea Bedortha.
Bethany, however, would come away with five runs on four hits, including two costly Tech errors in the ninth inning to take a 5-3 lead.
Oregon Tech put runners on first and second with one out, but a ground out and strikeout gave Bethany a sweep on day 1 of the four-game series.
Oregon Tech’s Ryson Mauricio went 3-for-5 in game 2, including a triple and a RBI. Trent Smith tripled and singled, while Zack Earle doubled and drove in a run in the nightcap. Phil Sacks was 2-for-3, with Kyle Connor adding a RBI. Jody Potter dropped to 1-3 after taking the game 2 loss.
Both teams conclude the four-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow at Kiger Stadium beginning a 3 p.m.