SEWANEE, Tenn. - Bethany baseball opened its 2026 campaign Friday afternoon at Sewanee and lost 7-6. Despite hitting three home runs in the game, the Vikings gave up an early five-run lead and were not able to recover.
After a scoreless first inning, Seth Jones led off the second with a walk, reached second on a failed pickoff, went to third on another error, and scored on a sac fly by Anthony Kuznia.
The Vikings then tallied four runs on four hits in the third for a 5-0 lead. Jayden Knutson singled and two batters later, Xander Meissner hit a two-run homer to center field. Yunior Pena Torres then singled and scored on another homer, this time off the bat of Jones.
Sewanee immediately answered in the bottom half with five runs on three hits. The score remained tied until the sixth when the Tigers struck for two runs on two hits and an error. The Vikings tried to rally in the ninth as Gary Swann hit a one-out solo home run and Meissner walked, representing the tying run, but the Tigers closed out the game by coaxing a groundout and fly out.
Knutson (2-5, R), Swann (2-5, R, RBI), and Pena Torres (2-5, R) led the Vikings at the plate. Adryen Tietz started the game and lasted three innings, allowing five runs on three hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Tyson Reger suffered the loss after five innings of relief. He allowed two runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Bethany and Sewanee continue their series with a seven-inning doubleheader Saturday and one more game Sunday.
