MARION, Ind. (Box 1, Box 2) -- Indiana Wesleyan University earned a doubleheader split with visiting Bethel (Ind.) College on Thursday in Mid-Central College Conference baseball action at Wildcat Field.
Bethel held a 1-0 lead in the second game as the contest headed to the bottom of the sixth. First baseman Kory Hollensteiner ripped a two out triple to score pinch runner Matt Fleissner from fist base.
With the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Wildcats put men on the corners with one out. Jeremy Worrell came off the bench as a pinch hitter and ripped a ball to left center field as pinch runner Tim Zeigler cruised home from third to complete the 2-1 comeback victory.
Jordan Vannoy earned the win on the mound for Indiana Wesleyan. Vannoy pitched a seven inning complete game and allowed one run on seven hits.
Hollensteiner was the lone player in the game to get two hits as he finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and one stolen base.
The opening game went to Bethel by a 4-1 margin, despite Indiana Wesleyan out-hitting the visitors.
Bethel tacked on three runs in the fourth inning to take a 3-0 lead. Hollensteiner responded in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run to make it a 3-1 ballgame. But the Pilots plated an insurance run in the sixth to complete the scoring.
Starting pitcher Josh Worrell, the reigning NAIA Pitcher of the Week, allowed four runs - two earned - on five hits. He went the distance and struck out five Pilots.
Hollensteiner and catcher Alex Ridlen each went 2-for-3 at the plate. Second baseman Ben Zachary was 1-for-2 with a walk and Jeremy Worrell collected a pinch hit single.
Indiana Wesleyan improves to 13-21 on the season and 4-4 in the MCC. Bethel now stands 12-16 and 7-3 in conference play.
The Wildcats and Pilots will reacquaint themselves on Saturday as the two teams will now play a doubleheader in Mishawaka, Indiana. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.