BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – Junior Haley Smith (Joshua Tree, Calif./Yucca Valley) came through with a big pitching performance in game two of Geneva's softball doubleheader against Bethany on Wednesday afternoon, earning a 1-0 shutout victory and allowing the Golden Tornadoes to split with the Bison, after Bethany took game one 9-0. Geneva's record is now 13-11 overall, 3-5 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), while Bethany's record is now 13-12, 6-4 in the PAC.
Bethany jumped on senior starter Nicole West (Glenwood, Md./McDonogh) early in the first game, with the Bison scoring four times in the first inning.
The Geneva offense had the task of facing Bethany ace Josie Wise in game one, and Wise held the Golden Tornadoes in check all game. Geneva's only real scoring chance came in the bottom of the fourth when the Golden Tornadoes loaded the bases with one out, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat.
The Bison added a run in the second, three more in the fourth and one in the fifth, and the game was finished after five innings with Bethany winning, 9-0. Geneva managed just two hits in the game.
Smith took the circle in game two, and she was impressive from the start, retiring the Bison in order in the top of the first on two strikeouts and a weak grounder back to the pitcher.
Geneva managed its only run of the day in the bottom of the inning. Junior Madison Forsythe (Trafford, Pa./Penn-Trafford) singled and stole second with one out. She went to third on a single from sophomore Elishea Reed (Lanse, Pa./West Branch) and scored on a sacrifice fly from junior Peri Ceasri (El Dorado Hills, Calif./Vista Del Lago).
Bethany's Wise came into the second game in relief to start the third inning, and Geneva struggled to generate any offense, similar to the first game, so it was important that Smith stay on her game, and she did.
Bethany's only real threat came in the top of the fourth. The Bison put runners on first and third with one out against Smith. Bethany attempted a double steal, but the runner on third was gunned down and Smith got out of the jam without allowing anyone to cross the plate.
Geneva managed just two hits over the final four innings against Wise, both coming off the bat of senior Sarah Johnson (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista), but it didn't matter as Smith finished off the victory with a shutout, 1-0, allowing Geneva to earn a split.
Smith earned her eighth win of the season, pitching all seven innings while giving up just five hits and one walk, while striking out four. Geneva managed just five hits in the second game, with Johnson leading the way with two hits.
The Golden Tornadoes head next to Chatham tomorrow for a night doubleheader, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Offering over 145 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. Geneva has one of the top 100 undergraduate engineering programs in the nation, according to
U.S. News and World Report. Adhering to the truth of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God's Word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today's world. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and IACE (International Association for Christian Education).
