ELGIN, IL. - With a combined 44 runs scored in the double header, Bethel College (22-20) came out ahead of Judson (21-19) in both games, 17-3, and 13-1. Judson is now 21-19 on the year.
Bethel scored 11 runs in the final three innings of the game to secure the 17-13 win. Judson cut the lead to one, 14-13, after the sixth inning and Bethel added three security runs in the top of the seventh for the win.
Judson had tied the game at six in the third inning and then took a 7-6 lead in the fourth. Bethel scored four runs in the fifth for a 10-7 lead only to see Judson tie the game at 10 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bethel responded with four more runs in the top of the sixth to make it 14-10. Judson did not give up bringing Bethel's lead to one, 14-13, in the bottom of the inning. It was the seventh inning that was the difference as Bethel took the win.
There were a combined 37 hits, 30 runs, and 24 runners left on base in the game. Bethel had 19 hits and 13 runners left on base while Judson had 18 hits and 11 runners on base.
In the sixth inning, it was Zach Williams third home run of the year that cut Bethel's lead to run as racked up three RBI. Williams led Judson by going 4-of-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. Chris Lucius was 3-of-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Matt McHenry added three RBI with two hits as one was a triple.
Judson used a combined six pitchers in the game as Scott Newton took the loss. Matt Musser started the game and went 1.1 innings followed by three innings of work from Jason Egli who had four strikeouts. Newton went 1.1 innings and then Zac Phillips was 0.1 innings, Phillip Stewart faced two batters, and then Nate Haberkorn was the final pitcher going one inning.
Only producing three hits in game two, Judson did not have the offensive fire power to keep up with Bethel. Judson scored their lone run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Trent Golz had two of Judson's three hits and the RBI. Bethel scored in every inning.
Jeremy Winnan started and went 1.1 innings with one strikeout. Nate Haberkorn then produced 3.1 innings with two strikeouts while Manny Bobadilla pitched 0.1 innings.
Judson will host Trinity Christian in a CCAC nine-inning game on Friday, April 24th, at 4:00 p.m.
