OKLAHOMA CITY – The Bethany College Swedes won a slugfest over the Mid-America Christian University Evangels 10-9 in the first game and then completed the sweep with a 10-4 win in the nightcap today (Feb. 7) at James Curtis Field.
The Swedes won both games despite a huge day at the plate by the Evangels' Jerry McNew, who smashed two homers and drove in six runs in the twinbill.
McNew started the day with a three-run blast in the bottom of the first before doubling home two runs in the bottom of the second that put the Evangels up 8-4.
That lead lasted until the fifth inning, when RBI doubles by Austin Gordon and Robert Eakin tied the score before Joel Quinones tripled home a run to finish the frame and put the Swedes on top.
After another RBI triple by Quinones put the Swedes up by two runs, the Evangels threatened in the bottom of the seventh and climbed within one run a sacrifice fly by Aaron Davis.
With the potential tying run in scoring position, reliever TJ Schrader induced a groundout to end the threat and close out the win for the Swedes.
McNew went 2-of-3 in the opener and Trey Henley was 2-of-2, while Axel Posemans had two hits in four at-bats.
Quinones was 4-of-5 with three RBIs and Austin Gordon went 3-for-3 for the Swedes.
Jake White started the opener for the Evangels and lasted 4.2 innings, with six runs allowed and four strikeouts.
In the second game, the Evangels (3-3) were hurt by five errors that led to five of the Swedes' 10 runs being unearned.
The Swedes led 5-2 when they broke the game open with a four-run sixth inning.
McNew then came up in the bottom of the sixth with his second home run of the day, a solo shot that made it 9-3.
Aaron Conway had two hits in the second game for the Evangels, while Dalton Bidon went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Bethany (2-0).
Kevin Voyles struck out four and allowed three earned runs in his four innings on the mound for the Evangels.
Chris Reardon pitched a complete game for the Swedes, giving up three earned runs with eight strikeouts.
The Evangels will next host Kansas Wesleyan University for a three-game series, starting with a single game Friday afternoon (Feb. 10) at 1 pm.
