Bethel softball goes 3-1 at Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic
The Threshers earned their first shutout of the season and three wins while playing at the Hall of Fame Stadium.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — On Friday and Saturday the Bethel softball team participated in the Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic over the weekend. The Threshers looked to bounce back after starting 2-7 on their season. They did just that as they went 3-1 over the weekend.
Bethel took the diamond against Langston to kick off the Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic. The Threshers started swinging the bats early as they scored two runs in the top of the first inning.
The Threshers defense was great, as they only allowed one error in the game. Bethel kept the bats happy, having seven hits in the game. At the top of the fourth inning, Bethel tacked on two more runs. The Threshers added one more run in the top of the fifth to give them the 5-0 victory over Langston.
The Threshers pitching held strong throughout the game, pitching a three-hit shutout, their first shutout of the season. Bethel relied on Jesse McMichael, Gracie Higgins, and Emily Demartino on the mound in game one.
“This weekend our kids played hard and were mentally tough,” head coach David Middleton said. “These ladies fought hard and had grit.”
For their second game of the tournament, the Threshers played Oklahoma Panhandle State. Looking to build off their win earlier in the day, Bethel would strike first in the top of the first, scoring two runs.
The Threshers offense was locked in and kept the bats hot. In the second inning, Bethel added three runs and one run in the third. Three innings into the game, Bethel had not given up a run yet. In the fourth inning, the Aggies scored in the bottom of the fourth.
Maddie Debs went on to pitch the whole game, giving up six hits in this encounter. Debs earned her third win of the season. Bethel scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning. The defense worked around the Aggies defense in the bottom of the sixth, run-ruling the Aggies, 10-1.
“I would say the biggest difference from last weekend to this weekend was the fact that we were playing for each other and not for ourselves,” said Cassie Albin from Hesston. “When one of us was down, others picked them back up.”
For day two of the tournament, Bethel kicked off its day playing the Oklahoma City Stars. Throughout the first two innings of play, both team's defenses were solid as they shut each other out.
It wasn't until the top of the third inning that the Stars got on the board first. In the top of the fourth inning, the Stars scored another run, but Bethel would drive in a run of their own. When the Threshers looked the most dangerous, they hit into an inning-double play.
The Stars would add on two more runs in the top of the 6th inning. Bethel offensively struggled the whole game to get anything going as they dropped their sole game of the tournament to the Oklahoma City Stars, 4-1.
“I’ve always dreamt about playing at the Hall of Fame stadium and I’m truly blessed that my dream became a reality,” said Albin. “Our team really came together this weekend and worked together in order to get the wins.”
For it’s last game of the tournament, Bethel took on Southwestern Assemblies of God. The Threshers looked to bounce back after losing to the Stars.
The Lions were quickly on the board, as they scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. For the next two innings, each team looked to hold things on their own, playing outstanding defense.
The Threshers finally got themselves on the board as they drove in three runs in the top of the fourth inning. Bethel took the lead into the sixth inning, where they added one more run. The Threshers added another run in the seventh inning, ending the tournament with a 5-2 win.
“We were much better defensively and worked hard in practice on more skills groups,” said Middleton. “Overall, this is a more disciplined team than a few weeks ago. They started 0-6 due to poor defense and since have been 5-1 with a chance to go 7-1 this weekend.”
Next up for the Threshers is a home game this weekend. They will welcome Kansas Christian for a doubleheader on Saturday with the first pitches slated for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.