BOX SCORE

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Despite owning a 4-0 lead after the first inning, the Royals suffered a 6-4 setback to Northwestern College (Minn.) Tuesday afternoon. The nonconference matinee welcomed a crowd of people and a host of hits, but the Eagles ended the nine-inning contest victoriously.
 
Bethel began the game with a one-two-three inning in the top of the first, but lit up the scoreboard in the bottom half of the frame. David Freed (Jr., North Oaks, Minn.) initiated the four-run inning with a walk, which was followed by a Matt Rowley (Jr., Minnetonka, Minn.) single that advanced Freed to third. Rowley then advanced to third on a Jay Slick (Sr., River Falls, Wis.) double down the left field line, and scored later on a Mike Sedjo (Sr., West Chicago, Ill.) ground out. The inning continued when Jesse Nickols (Jr., Arden Hills, Minn.) doubled to center and Mike Whartnaby (So., Libertyville, Ill.) tallied an RBI single to left, which scored two more runs for the Royals.
 
BU failed to score the rest of the game, despite the fact that they accumulated six more hits and left 11 stranded runners on base. Three players ended the day with multi-hit games, including Matt Rowley, Jesse Nickols, and Esteban Abbey (Jr., Chicago, Ill.).
 
The Royals threw four pitchers at Northwestern Tuesday, including starter David Anderson (Sr., Willmar, Minn.) who went 5.1 innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs. The senior hurler surrendered two walks and struck out one. Keaton Schut (So., Des Moines, Iowa), David Freed, and Buddy Flaherty (Sr., Victoria, Minn.) all saw time on the mound as well.
 
The loss drops Bethel to 15-11 on the season and has the Royals thirsty for a pair of nonconference victories, as they travel to face the University of Wisconsin-Stout Wednesday. BU returns home Saturday for a double dip against Augsburg College, who happens to be playing incredibly well against MIAC opponents.