Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS - Bethel began their 2008 season by sweeping Wartburg College of Waverly, Iowa, 15-7 in the first game, and 13-2 in the second. 

In game one, the Royals trailed 4-3 after two innings, but came back to score four runs in the third inning highlighted by a John Slick (So., River Falls, Wis.) triple that scored two runners.  Bethel added another six runs in the fourth inning thanks to Tim Churchill (So., Mt. Prospect, Ill.) and Tyler Kramer (Sr., Maplewood, Minn.) who each had two RBI's in the inning, helping the Royals pull away from the Knights for good. 

John Buteyn (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) started game one and gave up four runs on nine hits, while striking out four in four innings to earn the win.

Game two saw Bethel pick up where they left off, scoring runs in bunches in the second, fourth, and fifth innings.

Kris Pulford (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) laced a triple off the 23-foot "Baggie" out in right field at the Metrodome to knock in one run in the second.  Pulford was a perfect 3-for-3 in the second game with four RBIs and a stolen base.

In the six-run fifth inning, Pulford, Kramer, and Slick accounted for the runs by knocking in two apiece with their hits during the inning.  Slick then came in to close out the game by pitching scoreless ball the final two innings.

Isaac Hamilton (Sr., Chaska, Minn.) earned the victory, breezing through his five innings.  Hamilton gave up just three hits, while striking out six.  Wartburg's only two runs came off of a Kyle Jones home run in the fourth inning.

Churchill reached base safely in each of his nine plate appearances during the two games as he was hit by a pitch four times, walked three times, and had two base hits.  Slick was 4-for-9 with seven RBIs and a stolen base, while Pulford was 4-for-6 with six RBIs and two stolen bases.

Bethel is now 2-0 overall, while Wartburg falls to 1-3 on their season.  Wartburg was the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) runner up last season, missing the NCAA tournament by just one game.  The Royals return to action next Monday morning when they take on Elmhurst (IL) at 7:30 a.m. in the Metrodome.