Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Bethel Royals entered today's doubleheader against the Concordia Cobbers in need of a sweep to keep and possibly gain footing in the MIAC race. They got just that as Tim Oesterlin (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) had a big day, including a three-run home run in the top of the seventh of game one, which proved to be the game winner. Ben Turnwall (Sr., Burnsville, Minn.) recorded saves in both games as Bethel won by scores of 5-3 and 9-4.

In game one, the Royals were forced to come from behind twice. Starting pitcher Travis Adams (Sr., Chanhassen, Minn.) surrendered a run in the bottom of the first inning, but got some offensive support in the top of the fourth inning thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly by Ryan Doheny (Sr., Anoka, Minn.) and an RBI single by Bob Tokar (Jr., Elk River, Minn.).

The Cobbers answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning, making the score 3-2 in favor of Concordia.

Down, but not out, Bethel staged a comeback not unlike last season which saw then senior third baseman Brandon Carr deliver a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh to sweep the season series against Concordia. In this instance, the Royals began their rally with one out when Dustin Littlefield (Sr., Rockford, Minn.) singled to put a runner on first base. Tim Churchill (Jr., Mt. Prospect, Ill.) moved him over and got on base himself with a well-placed bunt, bringing up Oesterlin. The starting centerfielder then hit his second home run of the season - a three-run blast that put Bethel ahead 5-3 heading into the home half of the seventh.

Adams began the inning and got two outs, but also had runners at the corners before turning the ball over to Turnwall who got a fly ball to right field for the final out, sealing a Bethel victory. Adams allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks but matched his season and career best single game strike out total with nine in the span of 6 2/3 innings.

Bethel carried some of its momentum over into the second game by scoring a run right away in the first inning thanks to an RBI double by Oesterlin following a leadoff single by Churchill. However, Concordia quickly answered by scoring a run of their own off of Bethel starter Chris Harrell (So., Minnetrista, Minn.).

Not to be outdone, the Royals came back with two more runs in the top of the second by way of back-to-back doubles by Bjorn Anderson (Jr., Arden Hills, MInn.) and Littlefield, as well as an RBI single by Churchill - all with two outs. Bethel tacked on another run in the top of the third inning to go up 4-1 before the Cobbers narrowed the gap to a single run by scoring twice in the bottom of the third inning.

The Royals added yet another run in the top of the fifth as Oesterlin, who was a combined 4-for-7 with four RBIs on the day, led off with a single, advanced to second on a ground out, and came home on a Doheny double. Unfortunately, the Cobbers answered once more, keeping the score tight. Chris Dent (So., Marietta, Ohio) came on in relief of Harrell and got an inning ending double play to bail the Royals out in the bottom of the fifth, preserving the lead.

Turnwall then came into the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with runners at the corners and struck out the first batter he faced to get the Royals out of a jam.

It was in the top of the seventh inning that Bethel took advantage of some good hitting and some not-so-good fielding to push its lead out to five runs. With the bases loaded, Tokar layed down a suicide squeeze bunt that scored Oesterlin, but in an attempt to salvage at least one out, the Concordia catcher threw the ball past first base and into right field allowing all three runners on base to score and Tokar to advance to third.  He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Sean Flaherty (Jr., Shoreview, Minn.), giving Turnwall some breathing room in the bottom of the seventh.

Turnwall pitched a scoreless seventh to record his second save of the day and his fifth of the season. Harrell earned his second win of the season and the Royals improved to 18-16 overall and 9-7 in the MIAC.

Concordia falls to 11-12 overall and 4-8 in conference play. Bethel is scheduled to take a little breather before gearing up for Carleton next Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Hargis Park.