By: J.R. Tidwell

                The Bevill State Lady Bears swept the Gordon College Lady Highlanders in a two game series on Saturday, April 18, winning game one 8-0 and game two 3-2. This was the Lady Bears last home game of the year, and they start an eight game road stretch on Tuesday, April 21, to finish the season.

                Bevill State wasted no time in gaining the lead in game one, as they scored on an RBI single by Katie Hubbert in the bottom of the first. This run would prove to be enough to win game one, as Lady Bear pitcher Valerie Cook gave up only one hit and one walk in 16 at-bats, gained three strikeouts, and prevented the Lady Highlanders from scoring.

                Bevill State added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning when Randi Gilbert hit a two RBI double down the third base line. Two batters later, Ashley Webb hit a two RBI double as well. Another run scored off of an error when Gordon College’s center fielder dropped a pop fly hit by Cook. The Lady Bears batted around in the fifth inning and added five runs to their total. The Lady Highlanders were unable to answer thanks to the pitching of Cook, and the Lady Bears added two more runs to their score by way of a two run homerun by Webb in the bottom of the fourth. Gordon College failed to put points on the board, and the game was called after five innings, giving Bevill state a solid win.

                Gordon College scored in the top of the second inning of game two, hitting an RBI single to left centerfield. The Lady Bears wasted no time answering the Lady Highlanders, as they scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Bevill State’s first run of game two came off of a sacrifice fly for an RBI by Webb. April Poole hit a sacrifice ground ball to the shortstop for an RBI two batters later, and another run scored the next play after the Lady Highlander’s second basemen dropped a pop up hit by Cook.

The Lady Bears would not score any more runs in game two, but they utilized strong defensive play, behind the pitching of Michelle Cheatwood, to hold Gordon College to only a single additional run for the rest of the match, earned off of a RBI double in the top of the fifth. The Lady Highlanders were unable to tie the contest, and the Lady Bears won the nightcap. Cheatwood pitched all seven innings, giving up two runs off six hits in 30 at-bats, with two strikeouts and no walks.

The Bevill State Lady Bears face Gadsden State to begin their final road stretch, and according to Bevill State head coach Rickey Howell, “(Winning two straight) is going to help tremendously because the defense, offense, and pitching were all there. (These wins) build confidence. Hopefully we will finish the season strong. We have eight games left, and any wins will keep us going until we enter the state tournament.”

The Bevill State Lady Bears have a 28-12 overall record and are 11-5 in the conference. After the final eight games of the 2009 season, they will enter the state tournament to be held in Alabaster starting on May 2.