FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars earned a doubleheader sweep against the Bethel University Pilots at the Cougars Baseball Field on Friday, April 17. The Cougars edged the Pilots 4-2 in game one before coming away with a 14-4 win in game two.

SAINT FRANCIS 4, BETHEL 2

• The series opener was a pitcher's duel that saw the Cougars claw back for a late-inning victory.
• Trailing 2-1 heading into the top of the seventh, Saint Francis tied the game up at 2-2 after Gage Blanchard scored on a balk. Jack Belschner and Xavier Nolan followed with RBI doubles to put the Cougars on top 4-2.
• Saint Francis recorded six hits and four walks in game one. Belschner went 2-4 at the plate with a double and two RBI. Xavier Nolan also had an extra base hit and drove in a run, while Blanchard had a stolen base. 
• Luke Wessell got the start on the mound, striking out three batters and allowing three hits in 5.0 innings pitched. Perry Stow earned the win after striking out three batters and holding Bethel scoreless in 4.0 innings of relief.
  

SAINT FRANCIS 14, BETHEL 4 - 7 INNINGS

• SF set the tone early, scoring 11 runs across the first three innings for the 11-1 advantage. 
• Saint Francis added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth before holding off a late Pilot push in the top of the seventh to secure the game two win. 
• The Cougars had nine hits and drew seven walks in game two. Ayden Lichtensteiger and Jordan Davis went 2-2 at the plate, combining for seven RBI. Davis had his first collegiate homer, while Lichtensteiger added a double and a sac fly. Xavier Nolan also had a double and two RBI. Belschner added two stolen bases. 
• Curtis Ellis threw a complete game, striking out eight to secure his second win of the season.

The Cougars (15-28, 13-17 CL) and Pilots return to the diamond tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, to wrap up the four-game series. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Fort Wayne.

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at Saint Francis offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Business and Leadership: Creative Arts and Digital Media; Education, Human Services and Community Care; Nursing; and Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, Saint Francis has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.