Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS - The Bethel University men's baseball team split their two game series with The University of Wisconsin LaCrosse Tuesday morning. The Royals dropped game one by a score of 2-0 and came from behind in game number two earning a 5-4 win in extra innings. Game one was highlighted by great offensive play from Bethel Senior first baseman Dane Hansen, (Roseville, Minn.) who went 2 for 2 with a single and a stand up triple. Lead-off hitter Brandon Carr, (Fergus Falls, Minn.) headlined game two with a three-run homerun in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Carr's homerun tied the game 4-4 bringing the Royals into extra innings where they gained the win in the bottom half of the eighth inning.

In game one Bethel had trouble scoring runs, leaving six men stranded. The Royals had seven hits in seven innings of play, stealing two bases but were unable to get a run across. The Royals best opportunity came in the top half of the sixth inning after base hits by Mike Gaustad, (Fergus Falls , Minn.) and Kirby Carr, (Fergus Falls , Minn.) came with one out, but could not be batted in as the score remained tied 0-0. Stand out pitching by Bethel Senior John Leininger, (Olivia , Minn.) gave the Royals a shutout through the fifth inning until UW-LaCrosse third baseman Steve Emis hit a home run giving the Eagle's a 2-0 lead. Leininger gave up only six hits in the contest for the Royals in the loss.

Game two started with runs from both teams, Bethel 's run came on an RBI double from center fielder Kirby Carr evening the score at 1-1. On the play Carr twisted his ankle at second base and left the field for the remainder of the game. LaCrosse ran the score up to 4-1 in the third inning on four hits scoring their last run of the night on a passed ball. The score remained at 4-1 before a base hit from Steven Krause (Plymouth , Minn.) advanced right fielder Ted Erickson to second base which set up Brandon Carr for his three run home run that locked the score at 4-4. Pinch hitter Kris Pulford, ( Richfield , Minn. ) got things started in the bottom of the eighth with a single and then was relieved at first base by pinch runner Geoff Boyer (St. Louis Park , Minn.). The substitution paid off as Boyer advanced to second on a passed ball, to third on a ground ball, and scored on an exciting slide into home plate on a passed ball to end the game with a 5-4 win. Relief pitcher Mike Moravec, (Mora, Minn.) gave up no hits and no runs in his two innings of play earning him his first win this season.

The Royals will take on Loras College Friday night at the Metrodome, the double header starts at 10pm. This will be the Royals last game at the Metrodome as they will then head to Florida on March 17th for their Spring trip.