Friends Athletics
Levi Convirs, Sports Information Director
WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons swept the Bethany College Swedes Friday at the Two Rivers Youth Complex to improve to 5-1 in the KCAC and momentarily take over the top spot in the conference.
The Falcons won a pair of walk-off wins today, 6-5 in the opener and then 12-4 on the run rule in six innings.
After watching a two-run triple by Courtney Fudge key a four-run sixth inning that pulled the Swedes even at 5-5, the Falcons benefited from two errors to plate the winning run in the seventh.
Breannna Vest reached on an error to lead off the frame, advanced on a single by Kennedy Brunson before crossing the plate on another Bethany miscue.
The score was 1-1 when the Falcons gained control with a four-run third, getting RBI singles from Kaelyn Smith and Beth Cagle along with a sacrifice fly by Vest and a bases loaded walk to Kylie Fox.
Brunson went three-of-four in the first game for Friends, with Ciera Flores also contributing three hits for the Swedes.
Reaghan Burris pitched the final 1 2/3 innings and gave up one run to earn the victory.
Maci Walker started for the Falcons and went 5 1/3 frames, allowing four runs and striking out one.
In the nightcap, the Falcons exploded for eight runs in the sixth that turned a 4-4 gridlock into a run rule win.
The first three runners reached and Brunson drove home two of them with a single that put the Falcons ahead for good.
Following bases-loaded walks to Isabella Gonzalez and Shelby Belloni, an error led to two more runs coming home and Vest then ended the game with a two-run double that plated Belloni and pinch runner Ashlyn Jacobs.
Vest had three hits in the second game for Friends (14-16, 5-1 KCAC), while Emily Escobar had two hits in two at-bats with two RBIs. Brunson and Fox also each drove in two runs for the Falcons.
Flores had three more hits for the Swedes (12-26, 3-5 KCAC) along with three RBIs.
Burris got the second game start for the Falcons and Heather Breslin came on and pitched the final 3 2/3 innings to pick up the win.
The Falcons will next play at McPherson College Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 7) at 2 pm in McPherson, Kan.