Box Score
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - The Royals played through nine innings of steady rain to earn a 5-3 victory over Worcester State College of Massachusetts today.
After a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to UW-Whitewater yesterday afternoon, the Royals were looking for a much needed win against the Lancers.
Matt Johnson (Fr., Vadnais Heights, Minn.) made his first varsity start for Bethel and gave up two runs in the top of the first inning. However, that would be all that Worcester State would get for the next seven innings. Johnson threw four innings, gave up five hits, two runs, and struck out four while walking just two batters.
Bethel answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first after
Tim Churchill (So., Mt. Prospect, Ill.) hit a lead-off single, stole second, and then scored on a
Clint Nelson (Sr., Monticello, Minn.) double.
The Royals then tied the game in the bottom of the second when
Kris Pulford (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) led off the inning with a single and then came around to score on a
Tim Oesterlin (So., Rochester, Minn.) double.
Tyler Kramer put Bethel up 3-2 when he led off the sixth inning with the Royals first home run of the season, and the fourth of his career. Pulford then tripled and scored on an Oesterlin sacrifice fly, giving the Royals all they would need for the win.
Bethel scored an insurance run in the seventh inning when
Brandon Carr (Sr., Fergus Falls, Minn.) batted in Churchill who had singled, advanced to second on a single by Nelson, and then stole third base.
Worcester State managed to score once more in the top of the ninth, but
Ben Turnwall (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.) successfully closed the door to earn his second save of the season.
Kyle McCracken (So., Johnston, Iowa) earned his first collegiate victory by pitching four scoreless innings in relief of Johnson. McCracken allowed just one hit and walked two.
Churchill reached base in the second inning after being hit by a pitch for the ninth time this season.
Bethel improves to 5-6 overall this season, while Worcester State drops to 4-8. The Royals will return to the field to take on #15 Otterbein on Monday for a doubleheader.
