Baseball makes strides against Bethany College
The Wiley College baseball team led for the first time this season in Game 1 and played its most competitive game in the doubleheader finale with 16-1 and 2-1 losses against Bethany College Saturday at Airport Park.
The games were the first the Wildcats have played at home since March 11, 2020. After allowing the first two batters to reach, Joe O'Bryant Jr. (JR/Spring, Texas) got two groundballs and a strikeout to hold the Swedes scoreless. With one out, Jacob Perez (FR/Houston, Texas) singled to center. Donovan Rice (FR/Humble, Texas) singled to right with two outs advancing Perez to third. Dennis Everson II (FR/Richmond, Texas) brought home Perez with a single to right.
The momentum was short-lived. Four Wiley College errors with three on throws helped Bethany College plate six runs. Seven men came to the plate before the Wildcats recorded an out and 11 batted when they got the final out of the second. Bethany College piled on – scoring 10 runs on 11 hits during the final three innings.
Keyvan Grenald settled in after allowing a first-inning run. He held Wiley College to three hits over the next four innings. Everson went 2-for-2. Matthew Drabbant (FR/Dayton, Texas) and Julian Rosales (FR/Mesquite, Texas) also had base hits. In his second start on the mound, O'Bryant lasted three innings. Only four of the eight runs he allowed were earned. Diego Torres (FR/San Antonio, Texas) threw the final two innings in his second outing.
In the second game, Isaac Burciaga (FR/Manvel, Texas) pitched four innings in his second start on the mound. He held the Swedes to two runs on seven hits and struck out two. James Martinez (FR/Dallas, Texas) made his collegiate debut by throwing three scoreless innings.
Bethany College (5-1) loaded the bases in the third on a two singles and a walk. A sacrifice fly put it in the lead. In the fourth, the Swedes got a single and double. They plated a run on a grounder to shortstop. The Wildcats struck back. Traylon Ansley (FR/Houston, Texas) got their first hit of the game with his first career home run – which he blasted over the centerfield wall. With two outs, Caidin Franklin (SO/Buda, Texas) doubled to left. Allan Mendoza (FR/Venezuela) courtesy ran and advanced to third on a passed ball but a strikeout ended the inning.
Wiley College (0-6) had runners in scoring position in the fifth and seventh innings. Julian Rosales walked with two outs in the fifth. He advanced on a passed ball by Luis Rodriguez Gorritz. A strikeout ended the chance. Jaylon Burrell (FR/Houston, Texas) singled with one out in the seventh. He advanced on a groundball by Julian Lopez (FR/Keller, Texas). A groundout ended the game.
The Wildcats will wrap up their first home stand with a doubleheader against Mid-America Christian University at noon on Sunday – which will be the Evangels' first games of the season.
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