The Bethany College baseball team continued their season this past week.  The squad traveled to Oklahoma on Thursday before hosting Concordia University on Saturday and Sunday.

The Swedes headed to Oklahoma Thursday afternoon to battle MidAmerica Christian University before taking on Oklahoma Baptist University.  In game one against MidAmerica Christian, Bethany's offensive production was key in the 9-2 victory.  Seniors Craig Barnes went 3-for-3 with three runs while Hop Sullivan went 3-for-4 with three runs as well.  Junior Jimmy Smith added a 3-for-4 performance with four RBI's.  Junior Kofi Osei-Aning had a solid contribution with his 2-for-2 plate appearance.  Barnes, Sullivan, and juniors Braden Friesz and Jeremy Craig each had one RBI in the game.  Sophomore T.D. Huett got the start, pitching five innings and striking out three.  Junior Josue Iniguez came in as relief, facing seven batters and tallying one strike out.

After a big win, Bethany looked to keep the ball rolling against Oklahoma Baptist University.   Unfortunately, the offensive production slowed as OBU held the Swedes to a two-hitter and topped Bethany 7-0.  Sullivan and Smith each went 1-for-3.  Junior Brian Guyett got the start on the mound.  He gave up seven earned runs after facing 27 batters.  Guyett struck out six in the game.

The Swedes looked forward to the weekend for their home opener.  On Saturday, Bethany played one 9-inning game against Concordia University.  Sophomore Kevin Krattenmaker started for the Swedes.  Despite strong offensive at-bats by Concordia, Bethany stayed stride-in-stride before dropping the game 4-3.  Freshman Darrin Biegert hit a solo home run.  Junior Aaron Larsen had an RBI triple.  Barnes had a double while Sullivan had two hits.  Friesz also had a single and an RBI on the day.

Bethany bounced back strong on Saturday, sweeping the day and grabbing two wins from Concordia.  Freshman Alexander Overstreet started for the Swedes, with Iniguez coming in as relief.  The Bethany bats got hot as the Swedes came out with an 11-2 "W."  Junior Wes Walker had three hits in the game while junior Aaron Larsen contributed two timely base hits.  Junior Daryl Schlepp had two hits and Biegert had an RBI.

The Swedes continued their solid defense and offensive production in game two.  Bethany went on to snag a 4-2 victory.  Junior Ryan Mashinter started the game, with senior Cameron Rittinger coming in as relief.  Walker had a clutch diving catch in left field.  Smith, Sullivan, and Schlepp all had one RBI apiece. 

Bethany heads to NCAA Division II Washburn University on Tuesday, February 17th for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm.  The Swedes will then head to Anderson Field to host Dakota Wesleyan University on Friday, February 20th at 12:00 pm.  Bethany is also set to battle Dakota Wesleyan at 10:00 am Saturday, February 21st before taking on Peru State College at 4:00 pm.  The squad will end the weekend with a doubleheader on Sunday, February 22nd against Briar Cliff University at 1:00 pm.  Bethany is now 6-4 on the year.