VIDEO: Jesse Nickols
 
It was day number three in the sunshine state, as both the baseball and softball teams saw action Sunday. Each team took part in a double-header, as the softball team kicked off their Florida getaway with a 13-0 loss to Fontbonne University and an 11-8 victory over Wesleyan University on day one, while the Royals baseball team split its series against Western Connecticut State University.
 
Bethel's softball program was not warmly welcomed in its first game of the trip, as the Royals were outscored 13-0 in the opener. In the five-inning affair, Bethel committed three errors that lead to eight unearned runs for the opposing Griffins. BU managed just three hits in the nonconference competition, as Megan Matson (Jr., Mound, Minn.) busted two at the plate, while Alexandra Thunburg (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) connected on one.
 
The Royals looked to salvage the day in game two as they took on Wesleyan University in a 3 p.m. affair. Bethel brought its bats in the second competition, as BU finished with eight hits, which led to the eventual 11-8 victory. Head Coach Rod Radcliffe's squad struck early, scoring nine runs in the first two innings to take the early lead. Anja Erlandson (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) pitched a complete game for the Royals in the affair, giving up five earned runs and striking out eight.
 
As mentioned earlier the bats were highly effective, as six players recorded a hit. Matson again finished well with a hit and three runs scored, while Rachel Gilbert (Jr., Becker, Minn.) and Thunburg recorded two hits in the seven-inning game.
 
With the win, the Royals improve to 2-3 overall and 1-1 on the spring break trip. Bethel will square off against Washington & Jefferson College tomorrow at 9 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. contest against UW-Eau Claire. Fans are also advised to note that Tuesday's 9 a.m. affair has changed opponents, as the Royals will now face Union College of New York. Live statistics will continue to be available here.
 
The baseball team started its day at First Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Fla., where the team enjoyed a warm welcome from the church family. First Baptist Church not only tailored its sermon and video series towards the BU squad, but also fed the entire team and families a heart meal.
 
Following the morning excursion, the team headed straight to Terry Park to face Western Connecticut State University in a late afternoon double-header. In game one David Anderson (Sr., Willmar, Minn.) started his first game of the season, as the Royals rumbled to an 8-4 win. Bethel never trailed in the game, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning, followed by one in the third, two in the fourth, and three in the sixth.
 
The Royals garnered nine hits from eight different batters to go along with six free passes aboard the base paths. Travis Peipho (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.) delivered two hits in four plate appearances, while Jay Slick (Sr., River Falls, Wis.) and Jesse Nickols (Jr., Arden Hills, Minn.) drove in seven RBI's combined. Matt Pearson (So., Rochester, Minn.) was credited with the win in game one, while Keaton Schut (So., Des Moines, Iowa) and Buddy Flaherty (Sr., Victoria, Minn.) helped secure the victory from the bullpen.
 
In the second game between the two squads, Bethel jumped ahead early with a two-run top of the first inning and added two more between the fourth and fifth inning, but suffered a three-run inning in the bottom of the sixth and surrendered the game-winning run to the opposing Colonials in the bottom of the seventh to lose 5-4.
 
Joe Zorn (Fr., Stillwater, Minn.) was given the nod today, pitching an exceptional outing in his first collegiate start. Zorn struck out two and walked just one batter, holding WCSU to one run throughout the first five innings.
 
At the plate the Royals finished game two with four hits and three walks, including a 1-for-2 game with two walks by David Freed (Jr., North Oaks, Minn.) and a 2-for-3 game for Jay Slick. Both athletes scored twice, while Slick was one of three hitters to drive in a run. It wasn't quite enough, however, as the Colonials crept back in the bottom half of the matchup to steal game two.
 
Bethel's baseball squad now stands at 5-4 after the Sunday double-dip. The Royals will play one nine-inning game tomorrow against the College of Wooster, and follow it up with the first JV game of the season. It is important to note that both the varsity and JV games will be webcasted and only the varsity game will have live stats. Both items can be viewed here.
 
Also, tomorrow the men's and women's tennis teams will get its first chance to experience competition in the Florida weather this season, as the tennis units will face CUNY at the Oak Street Courts at 8 a.m.