Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Briar Cliff baseball team pushed their record to 4-0 as they bested Bethany (Kan.) in a double-header on Sunday afternoon in Lindsborg, Kansas. The Chargers recorded a combined 18 hits and 23 runs across the two games while only allowing five runs.

"It was a tremendous weekend", said head coach Corby McGlauflin. "We put up a load or runs and got some great pitching that shut down a lineup who came into hitting .340. We are coming up on an extremely tough stretch, so we're ecstatic to start 4-0."

The Chargers have now scored at least one run in the first inning in all four games this season.
 
Game 1 – W, 12-5
The Chargers came out aggressive early, capitalizing on Bethany mistakes in the first inning. Connor Lange was walked, and courtesy runner Brayden Artzer scored in a passed ball. The Cliff's middle infielders continue to make plays as they turned double play to end the first inning.

Bethany carded a run of their own off two hits in the second frame, knotting the game up at one apiece.

The Swedes took the lead for the first time in series in the third inning, capitalizing on a walk, hit batter, and two stolen bases. Heading into the fourth inning, the Chargers trailed by one.

Briar Cliff created a monstrous fourth inning, scoring 11 runs in the frame. The inning started slow as Jared Sitzmann, Quentin Evers and Matthew Delgado drew walks. The party got started with Trey Rogers' two RBI double to right field. BC scored their next three runs on Swede miscues and formulated a two-out rally as Sitzmann, Delgado, Walter Hunt, and Rogers all had RBI singles. The scoring rally ended after Hunt scored on a Bethany error.

The Swedes chipped away at the Charger lead by scoring one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh, but BC's lead was too large.

Matthew Hmielewski earned the win on the mound as he went 5.0 innings with four strikeouts and allowed two runs. The Charger relievers of Noah McWilliams and Quentin Evers stood strong, pitching one inning apiece to end the contest.

Briar Cliff compiled six hits in the contest. Rogers had two hits (one double) while Sitzmann, Delgado, Hunt and Farrell had one apiece.

The Cliff drew a season-high nine walks in game one, lifting them to a 3-0 start to the season.
 
Game 2 – W, 11-0
Briar Cliff rounded the bases early in game two. With one out in the top of the first, Delgado notched a two RBI single to left field. The Chargers have scored at least one run in the first inning in all four games this season.

The momentum stayed with the Chargers as right-hander Kyler Steinborn retired three of the first four Swede batters.

BC kept the rally going into the second frame, scoring seven more runs to expand their lead to 9-0. The Chargers had four hits in the inning along with three walks. Following singles from Cyler Melvin and Jake Chronic, Connor Lange launched a two RBI double to right field. Devon Farrell was the other Charger to card two RBIs on a double down the left field line.

Despite having runners on second and third base with two outs, Bethany was unable to push any runs across the plate due to a groundout ending the frame.

BC had a two-inning scoring drought they ended in the fifth inning on a Lange RBI single that followed a Melvin walk and Chronic single. Alex Kremer came into pitch for Steinborn and retired the first three batters he faced.

The Cliff loaded the bases in the seventh inning with zero outs on a Lange double, Evers walk and Delgado single. The Chargers managed to push one run across the plate as Easton Cone was hit by a pitch, earning an RBI.

As a team, the Chargers recorded 12 hits, 11 walks and eight RBIs compared to only four team strikeouts.

Lange and Delgado led the way with three hits apiece while Chronic and Melvin recorded two.

The Charger pitching staff of Steinborn, Kremer, Austin Carter and Rylan Aamold recorded the Chargers' second full-game shutout this season. Steinborn earned the win as he went 4.0 innings with four strikeouts. Kremer, Carter and Aamold pitched one inning apiece with one strikeout each.

The Chargers return home to Bishop Mueller Field for the first time this season as they are scheduled to take on Bellevue in a double-header on Saturday, February 25 starting at noon. The Cliff will take on Bellevue again on Sunday, February 26 in one game at 2:00 p.m.