MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Two top teams in the Crossroads League did battle today in Mishawaka, Indiana. Host Bethel (Ind.) won both ends of the doubleheader vs. #RV Indiana Wesleyan to take the league lead by percentage points.

Bethel captured a 1-0 victory in the opener before cruising to a 7-2 victory in game two to complete the sweep. Indiana Wesleyan falls into a third place tie in the league standings and is 2.0 games behind Bethel and Taylor (Ind.).

In the first game, Gabby McIntire (SR/Logansport, IN) and Jessica Hull (SR/South Bend, IN) combined to give up just one run in 7.0 innings of work. McIntire pitched into the fifth inning when she was pulled after allowing a leadoff double. Hull came in as the new pitcher and a Bethel sac bunt and a wild pitched allowed Bethel to score the only run of the game.

Indiana Wesleyan had an opportunity in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game but failed to deliver the key hit. Sara Kreitzer (FR/Ashland, OH) drew a leadoff walk, took second on a sac bunt and then third on a Gabby Bogear (SO/Sacramento, CA) infield single. But Allison Bexell (SO/Avon, IN) struck out and McIntire fouled out to end the threat.

Bethel managed three hits in the game to two for Indiana Wesleyan. Sam Hemming (JR/Russiaville, IN) and Bogear were the only two IWU players to gain a hit. McIntire pitched 4.0+ innings and allowed one run on two hits. She did not walk a batter and struck out one. Hull did not allow a run in 2.0 innings with one hit given up.

In game two, the Pilots scored in each of the first four innings to build a 7-1 lead. Following single runs in each of the first three innings, the Pilots exploded for four runs in the fourth inning to take command of the game.

The Wildcats managed just three hits in the loss. Bexell contributed two of the hits and scored both IWU runs. Janessa Guevara (SO/Lathrop, CA) took the loss as she gave up three runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to action at 3 p.m. on Friday with a doubleheader at Huntington (Ind.).