Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Apr. 9) – The Waynesburg softball team opened both games of their Thursday Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) doubleheader against Bethany with early leads. Unfortunately, they didn't end either contest with the lead as they were swept by the Bison.
Bethany won a thrilling 6-5 nine-inning contest in the opener, and followed with a 2-1 triumph in game two. The losses dropped the Yellow Jackets to 10-12 overall and 2-6 in PAC play. The Bison improved to 12-12 on the year and 4-2 in conference action.
After neither team scored in the first inning of the opener, Waynesburg put three runs on the board in the bottom of the second. First baseman Elysia Orison doubled in a pair of runs to break the scoreless tie. Two batters later, leftfielder Nicole Forte singled Orison in to give the home team a 3-0 lead.
However, Bethany chipped away at the lead and tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh. After Waynesburg failed to win the game in the bottom of the inning, the Bison took their first lead of the afternoon with a run in the top of the eighth.
The Jackets were able to respond in the top of the eighth when third baseman Amanda Baughman launched a leadoff homerun to tie game at 4-4.
But, Bethany wouldn't go away as they posted a pair of runs off relief pitcher Lauren Minor in the top of the ninth to go ahead 6-4. The Jackets responded in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double by starting pitcher Autumn Minor, who moved to right field, that cut the lead to 6-5.
After a walk to Baughman, the Jackets had two runners on with two outs on the board. Unfortunately, Bethany relief pitcher Cortney Newland got the final out of the game in the next at-bat to get the save.
Another relief pitcher, Brittni Doerfer, got the win for Bethany, despite giving up two runs over an inning of work. Both hurlers came in after starter Summer Terrell gave up three runs on six hits and four walks.
Lauren Minor was saddled with the loss after pitching the ninth in relief of of older sister Autumn Minor, who worked eight innings of four-run ball. She gave up nine hits and three walks, while striking out three.
In game two, Waynesburg jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first third baseman Bre Kokladas scored on a passed ball.
Unfortunately, that was the last run that the Jackets scored on the day. They gave up a score in the bottom of the first and the bottom of the third to give Bethany the lead.
Waynesburg had an opportunity to tie the game or retake the lead in the top of the sixth, when they loaded the base and had just one out on the board. But, Bethany was able to get an inning-ending 5-2-3 double play to stop the rally.
Newland picked up the win after giving up just one run on seven hits and three walks. The sophomore added three strikeouts to her day.
Baughman suffered the loss for the Jackets after she gave up two runs on seven hits. She also struck out four Bison batters.
Though they came in losing efforts, Waynesburg did get some big offensive days from several of their players. Leading the way was Orison, who went five-for-seven at the dish with a double, a triple and two runs driven in. Baughman was three-for-seven with the long ball.
The Jackets will try to get back on the winning track on Thursday, Apr. 16, when they travel to Chatham for a PAC doubleheader.
