Raven Softball wrapped up a 14-game homestand to open up the 2021 season on Sunday with a sweep over Bethany College.

With their second straight sweep of the weekend in jeopardy, the Ravens got a walk-off home run off the bat of Blair Shanks to complete the sweep over the Swedes.

Bethany rallied to pull ahead of Benedictine 6-4 with a two-run seventh inning in the weekend's finale. A double by Molly Chevalier set the stage for the Ravens dramatic finish as Shanks connected on a 0-1 pitch for a home run over the left field fence to win the game for the Ravens.

In the opener, the Ravens needed a five-run fourth inning to overcome a deficit against the Swedes before winning 7-3.

Alex Gilham was the beneficiary of the Ravens rally in the opener. She recorded her sixth complete game of the season, throwing all 7 innings for the win. She finished with 10 strikeouts while giving up two earned runs off five hits.

Lenae Salinas finished game one going 1 for 2 at the plate with a home run and three RBI. Shanks finished with a home run and two RBI while Clare Heitz added two RBI.

In game two, the Ravens held a 4-3 lead after the second inning in support of MacKenzie Pinkerton. Pinkerton threw the first inning and a third before Abby Pressgrove threw the final five and two-thirds. Pinkerton allowed three runs off three hits before she was relieved by Pressgrove. Pressgrove finished with three strikeouts giving up two runs off five hits to get the win.

Kylie Hays, Halley Rindom, and Megan Medhus joined Chevalier at the plate with doubles while Salinas added a second home run for the Ravens. Salinas led the way with three RBI while Shanks finished with two.

Benedictine will get their first taste of action away from the Asher Sports Complex as they will hit the road for the start of Heart play on with a scheduled doubleheader in Springfield, Mo., against Evangel University.

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