Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Bethel began conference play today and split with the visiting Saint John's Johnnies by defeating them 2-1 in the first game, but then fell 6-2 in game two of the doubleheader.

In game one, Brandon Carr (Sr., Fergus Falls, Minn.) accounted for both of Bethel's runs by hitting a solo home run in the first inning, and then batted in Bob Tokar (So., Elk River, Minn.) for the game-winning run in the third inning. 

Isaac Hamilton (Sr., Chaska, Minn.) had another strong performance on the mound to garner his team-leading fourth win of the season,  while Ben Turnwall (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.) tied a school record by earning his fourth save of the season by pitching a scoreless seventh inning.

In game two, with the Royals trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, a RBI single by Tokar that scored pinch runner Mark Therrien (So., Spring Lake Park, Minn.) cut the Johnnies lead in half.

However, in the top of the sixth Saint John's was able to load the bases against reliever Matt Jollie (So., Shoreview, Minn.) before Joe Eiden cleared them with a double that went over the glove of an outstretched Carr at third base.  The Johnnies tacked on one more run to go up 6-1.

Bethel put together a late rally in the seventh inning when Therrien hit a lead off single, followed by a Dustin Littlefield (Jr., Rockford, Minn.) double.  Catcher Kirk Darling (Fr., Kalamazoo, Mich.) then grounded out to second, scoring Therrien.  However, the Royals were unable to put any more runs on the scoreboard, leaving the score 6-2.

Tim Churchill (So., Mt. Prospect, Ill.) was hit by a pitch in both games, making it the 11th and 12th times this season he has reached base in that manner in just 17 games.  Churchill now holds a Bethel single season record for most times being hit by a pitch, besting the former record of 11 set by Kirby Carr in 2007.

The Royals are now 9-8 overall and 1-1 in the MIAC, while the Johnnies move to 7-8 overall and 1-1 in the conference.  Bethel's next scheduled games will be against St. Olaf on Tuesday at Hargis Park, beginning at 2:30 p.m.  There is no official word concerning make-up dates for the St. Thomas and Hamline games, but information will be posted on the website as soon as it becomes available.