BOX SCORE
MINNETONKA, Minn. – The 2012 Bethel University baseball season came to an end Saturday afternoon, as the Royals fell to the University of St. Thomas 7-0 in the first elimination game of the MIAC Playoffs. BU kept the Tommies in check throughout the first four innings, but a three-run home run in the fifth inning took any wind the Royals had in their sails out as UST went on to defeat Bethel in the nine-inning contest.
In the first inning Bethel University got two runners on base, however, were unable to plate a run. The second frame was similar, as
Luke Schultz (So., Forest Lake, Minn.) drilled a double down the left field line with nobody out. Unfortunately for the Royals, though, the St. Thomas pitcher, Bryce Gapinski, managed to work around the leadoff double. BU never had any other strong opportunities to score the rest of the competition, but managed to leave five runners stranded.
Matt Rowley (Jr., Minnetonka, Minn.) got the nod in Saturday's matchup against the Tommies, going seven innings and giving up nine hits. Rowley pulled the string on four batters, striking out four and walking one, while giving up six runs (five earned). Senior
Buddy Flaherty (Sr., Victoria, Minn.) also got two-innings of work, pitching a one-run eighth and ninth inning.
For the Bethel lineup,
Mike Sedjo (Sr., West Chicago, Ill.) led the team in his final game of his career, going 2-for-3. In addition to Sedjo, senior
Jay Slick (Sr., River Falls, Wis.) also had a strong performance in his final outing, going 2-for-4.
With the loss the Royals fall to 20-20 on the season, however, BU managed to make its first appearance in the MIAC Playoffs for the first time since the 2000 season.
Later in the day Saint John's defeated Saint Mary's in the winner's game, which forced a rematch between Saint Mary's and St. Thomas Saturday night. The winner of Saturday night's game will meet the Johnnies in Sunday's first game. Without a loss, SJU will need to be defeated twice Sunday in order for some other team to be crowned conference champion.
