Warriors Complete Two-Day Sweep of Bethest

The Nelson Warriors' baseball team (12-20) delivered a dominant doubleheader sweep against Bethesda University Lion Angels, winning Game 1 by a score of 17-7 (7 innings – run-rule) and Game 2 on Friday by a score of 12-4. The Warriors pounded out 35 hits across the brief two game-series, highlighted by the biggest scoring single inning of the season.

Thursday: Game 1: Nelson 17, Bethesda 7 (7 innings – run-rule)
The Warriors kicked off the series with authority. Ethan Gustafson crushed a two-run homer to right field in the bottom of the first, scoring Sam Hess who had walked to open the inning. After Bethesda scored once in the third to tie, Nelson added two more runs in the fourth on a Matthew Schulz sacrifice fly and Adrian Nunez scoring on a wild pitch.

But the fifth inning was the highlight of the game — and one of the best single innings in program history. 10 Warriors crossed the plate in the most thrilling, exhilarating, electrifying, and invigorating single inning this season. After Gerardo Paco and each Sam Hess singled, Gustafson doubled in both. Jimmy Holloway followed with a triple to score Gustafson then Trenton Wright Jr. (pinch-running) came around to score on a fielder's choice. After two quick outs, the Warriors, nowhere near done scoring, continued the rally and asserted their authority on the field. Josue Franco Jr. walked next and Aaron Bazan was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A two-base throwing error allowed two more runs to score before Hess then singled in another run setting up Gustafson who capped the inning with a three-run homer to left field — his second long ball of the game. Gustafson finished the day with 7 RBI and 3 runs scored.

Bethesda fought back with four runs in the sixth and one in the seventh, but the Warriors added two more in the sixth themselves and one final run in the seventh on a wild pitch to trigger the run-rule at 17-7 after seven innings. When the dust had settled, Nelson recorded 15 hits in the victory, three each from Jimmy Holloway and Ethan Gustafson. On the mound, starter Nathan Simmons earned his 4th win of the season for his efforts.

Friday: Game 2: Nelson 12, Bethesda 4
A night's rest did nothing to stow the Warriors' offensive prowess, as they continued their onslaught from the plate the following day, pounding out a season-high 20 hits.

Gerardo Paco led off the bottom of the first with a home run to right field on the second pitch of the game. Later in the inning, Adrian Nunez singled to drive in Ethan Gustafson, making it 2-0.

Nelson added three more runs in the third when Sam Hess singled and stole second, before a Jimmy Holloway single. Up next, Brandon Ramirez singled to score Hess and Matthew Schulz followed with an RBI single. Josue Franco Jr. then singled to plate Ramirez for a 5-1 lead.

The Warriors kept the pressure on, adding one run in the fourth and two in the sixth. In the eighth, with runners on the corners and no outs, Gannon Aguilar singled in Jimmy Holloway. Schulz then crushed a three-run homer to right field, putting the game out of reach.

Jimmy Holloway finished a perfect 4-for-4 from the dish with 2 runs and an RBI. Sam Hess and Josue Franco Jr. each had three hits, while Matthew Schulz drove in four runs. Justin Burns and Adrian Imperial combined for 4.1 strong innings in relief, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4.

See the Nelson Warriors' baseball page for their upcoming schedule.

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