BOX SCORES

Game 1
Game 2

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Bethel Royals played a non-conference match-up against rival Northwestern College Tuesday afternoon on the campus of Northwestern. The Royals entered the game riding a four game win streak and extended it to six games with victories over the Eagles by scores of 8-0 and 9-5.

Bethel was slow out of the gates offensively, as they struggled to get the sticks going in the cold weather. It wasn't until the top of the 5th that the Royals got on the board. Matt Rowley would lead off the inning with a sharp double over the right fielder's head. Rowley then advanced to third on an Alex Hinseth bunt single. With runners on the corners, Hinseth stole second and Rowley advanced home to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. Buddy Flaherty continued the offensive action with a bunt single that would once again sent up runners on the corners. Sean Bethke would then deliver the big blow with a gap shot double to right center to drive in 2 runs. Travis Piepho then roped a line drive to center field to score Bethke on a sac fly. In all, the Royals tallied 4 runs on 4 hits in the 5th to give themselves a 4-0 lead.
Bethel would tack on 4 more runs over the course of the final innings to cruise to an 8-0 win.

Freshman Keaton Schut followed up his phenomenal outing against Crown College last Monday, with an even better showing on the mound in the first game. In a complete game effort to give the Royals the shutout, Schut allowed a mere 4 hits to the Eagles while striking out 3 and walking 2 batters. In his last 12 innings, Schut has not allowed an earned run and has only given away 3 free passes to opponents. The shutout was also Schut's first collegiate win.

The Royals had to battle the elements in the second game with flurries falling on the field throughout the contest. Northwestern held an early 3-2 lead over Bethel until the 5th, when once again, the Royals would string together a big inning. Matt Rowley would drive in a run with a single to right field, and an Alex Hinseth single would score two more to give the Royals the 6-3 advantage.

An Erik Anderson double in the in the 6th would score Jay Slick and Travis Piepho to extend the Royals lead to 8-3. Despite Northwestern's rally in the 7th, the Royals held on for a 9-5 victory.

Matt Pearson started the game for the Royals and strung together a solid outing to put the Royals in a position to win the game. Pearson went the first 3 innings allowing 3 earned and striking out 1. He allowed 4 hits and 4 walks to the Eagles. Chris Dent would then come in for the next 3 innings and shutout the Eagles offense, allowing only 2 hits and no runs over his course of action. David Anderson would then pitch the final frame, as the Royals won 9-5.

The Royals next action will be at the prestigious Hargis Park on Thursday afternoon when they host St. Olaf College in a MIAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.