MISHAWAKA, Ind. – A sacrifice fly by Pilots' outfielder Collin Affolder in the bottom of the 17th inning gave Bethel College a 4-3 win over the Spring Arbor University baseball team in one of the longest games in SAU history. The Cougars had captured the first game of the twinbill 5-2 behind an outstanding pitching performance by senior Spencer Goebel.

The two teams split the four-game series moving Spring Arbor to 6-11 overall and 2-2 in the Crossroads League. Bethel improved its record to 4-14 on the season with a 2-2 mark in conference play.

In the first game of the day, the Cougars jumped all over the Pilots scoring five runs in the first inning. The first five batters reached base, including RBI hits from Alex Holley and Jonathan Newman. Tyler Reed and Nate Sitkiewicz also collected run scoring singles.

That would be all the support Goebel needed as he tossed his first complete game of the season. The right-hander surrendered just two runs on three hits over seven innings of work while striking out five batters.

Freshman Chris Triplett and Newman recorded two hits apiece while Reed finished with two RBI's.

Spring Arbor grabbed the lead early again in game two, plating a run in the second inning, before adding another in the fifth. However, Bethel was finally able to break through in the sixth inning after starting pitcher Sam Memmelaar had shut the Pilots out over the first five frames.

The Cougars still led 2-1 entering the seventh, but the Pilots rallied to tie the score. With the bases loaded, the home team got a single up the middle from Eric Kelver allowing the tying run to score. The Pilots tried to win the game there sending the runner from second base, but Francisco Ondina made a great throw to nail the runner at the plate and force extra innings.

After three scoreless innings, Spring Arbor plated the go-ahead run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly by Mitchel Patterson. However, Bethel answered with an unearned run in the home half of the inning to stay alive.

Each team would have its chances over the next five frames, but neither side was able to capitalize on its opportunities until Bethel pushed across the game-winning run in the 17th. The Pilots loaded the bases with only one out, setting the stage for Affolder's sac fly.

Nine different players collected at least one hit for the Cougars while Conner Lengerich notched two.

Memmelaar pitched 5.1 innings giving up just one run on three hits while fanning seven batters. Duncan Patterson tossed 8.0 innings of relief, surrendering two runs on seven hits and striking out six. Drew Weston suffered the loss after going 2.1 innings and giving up one run.

Up next, Spring Arbor will host Siena Heights University on Tuesday, Mar. 29 at 4 p.m. in non-conference action before welcoming Taylor University to town for a four-game series beginning on Friday, Apr. 1 at 2 p.m.

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