LINDSBORG, Kan. — Southwestern College captured two of three games over the weekend against Bethany College, winning the opener Friday before splitting a doubleheader Saturday in KCAC baseball action.
The Moundbuilders opened the series with a 10-3 win Friday before dropping the first game of Saturday's doubleheader 11-3. Southwestern responded in the finale with a 6-2 victory to secure the series.
In Friday's opener, Southwestern used a late surge to pull away from the Swedes. The Moundbuilders broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning and exploded for five runs in the eighth to seal the 10-3 victory.
Koda Larsen drove in two runs, while Ayden Markovich and Gabe Rodriguez each contributed multiple hits in the win. Rodriguez finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Markovich added two hits and two RBIs to pace the offense.
On the mound, Peyton Ramsey earned the win after allowing three runs (two earned) over 6 2/3 innings. The Southwestern bullpen combined to hold Bethany scoreless the rest of the way.
Bethany responded in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. The Swedes scored six runs in the second inning and added five more across the fourth and fifth frames on the way to an 11-3 win.
Southwestern collected 11 hits in the loss, including three from Gabe Rodriguez and two from Sam Benz, but could not overcome Bethany's early offensive outburst.
The Moundbuilders bounced back in the series finale behind a complete game from Jaden Hensley. The right-hander tossed seven innings, allowing just three hits and two runs while striking out four to earn the win.
Southwestern broke the game open in the fifth inning with a six-run rally. Koda Larsen highlighted the frame with a triple, while Sam Benz doubled in a run and Gabe Rodriguez added an RBI as the Moundbuilders built a 6-0 lead.
Benz, Rodriguez, Preston Carrillo, Brice Nittler, and Raisean Dorsey, each drove in runs in the finale as Southwestern finished with nine hits.
Southwestern will return to action Tuesday, March 17, when the Moundbuilders host Friends University at Broadway Sports Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
