Box Score The Wolf Pack jumped out to earn early lead but needed a rally late to earn a win Friday in Game 1 of their three-game series with Bethel
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Loyola Wolf Pack opened their three-game series with Bethel by earning a 5-4 win Friday, breaking the tie in the top of the ninth. The win moves Loyola to 2-2 in the Southern States Athletic Conference standings and 17-7 overall.
After the Wolf Pack led for most of the game, holding a 4-2 advantage in the late innings, the Wildcats scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game 4-4. Loyola was held scoreless in the four prior frames, but it got a run in the top of the ninth that proved to be the difference.
Brandon Duhon led off the ninth with a single and was moved to second after Zach Cook put down a sacrifice bunt. An Allen Dennis fly out moved the speedy Duhon to third, then he scored to break the tie when Patrick Crifasi singled to left field.
Relief pitcher Gary Cavallo Jr. allowed a one-out single in the bottom half of the inning, but Gabriel Trastoy caught the runner stealing for the second out. Cavallo Jr. struck out the next batter to cap off the win, as he pitched 1.1 innings to earn the win.
Loyola scored its first two runs in the first inning, putting together a rally with two outs. Both Dennis and Payton Alexander walked to increase their on-base streaks, then Crifasi sent a ball to left field that was dropped to score the two runs. The Wolf Pack made it 4-0 with a pair of runs in the fourth, as Jase Biehl singled and then stole second and third base. He scored when Luke LaCoste hit into a fielder's choice, then pinch-runner Landon Trosclair scored when Cook walked with the bases loaded.
Bethel scored lone runs in each of the fifth and seventh innings before plating two in the eighth.
Wes Anderson pitched seven strong innings with four strikeouts. He scattered five hits and allowed two earned runs before handing the ball over to Brett Fisackerly, who allowed the two runs in the eighth.
Loyola and Bethel will play a doubleheader Saturday starting at noon to close out the series.
