Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MINNEAPOLIS—The Bethel University baseball team competed in its second double-header of the 2013 season, as BU took on Presentation College in nonconference action at the Metrodome. The Royals (3-1, 0-0 MIAC) dropped an 0-1 heartbreaker to the Saints (1-1) in the opening contest, before rallying in a three-run sixth-inning come-from-behind victory in game two.
 
Joe Zorn (So., Stillwater, Minn.) got the nod in game one Thursday, after getting an inning of work in Monday night's season-opener. Zorn found himself in a jam early, as the Saints got two men on with two outs, however, the sophomore out of Stillwater, Minn., settled down nicely and retired the side to get out of the frame.

The right-handed hurler was nearly flawless the rest of the way, but Presentation was able to get the game-winning run across the plate in the sixth inning, when Zorn tagged a Saint batter, who advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an RBI single to centerfield.
 
The Royals only good chance in the game came in the fourth inning—getting two men on base with two outs, but a strikeout looking sent Bethel back to the dugout empty-handed. BU collected just four hits in its 23 plate appearances, as David Freed (Sr., North Oaks, Minn.), Matt Rowley (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.), Mike Schultz (So., Forest Lake, Minn.), and Jesse Nickols (Sr., Arden Hills, Minn.) all went 1-for-3.
 
The second matchup of the two-game series started similarly for the Royals, as they gave up two early runs in the first and three more in the fourth to bury themselves in a 5-2 deficit. Bethel found a way to get two fifth-inning runs, however, when Ryan Hangartner (Jr., Watertown, Minn.) laced a triple to deep right center that cut the Saints' lead to 5-4.

A big three-run sixth inning then gave the Royals its first lead of the day, as Mike Schultz carried a deep sac fly to center field, followed by an Austin Hanson (Jr., Mounds View, Minn.) double over the center fielder's head to put Bethel ahead to stay 7-5.
 
Junior hurler Keaton Schut (Des Moines, Iowa) recorded a one-out relief appearance in game one, striking out the batter with a runner on third, and he was rewarded in the stat sheet for his performance in game two, as he recorded his first collegiate save with a full inning's work.
 
Matt Pryor (So., St. Paul, Minn.) pitched an exceptional 2.1 innings worth, striking out four batters, which brings his season total to six strikeouts against 10 batters faced. Pryor's relief appearance awarded the sophomore with his first win of the season.
 
Game two's hero's at the plate included Nik Anderson (So., Arden Hills, Minn.), Ryan Hangartner, and Austin Hanson, as each finished 2-for-3. Hanson added two runs and two RBI with two doubles and a walk, while Hangartner added two RBI and a run.
 
The Royals improve to 3-1 and will look to better its record next Tuesday, as they square off against UW-Stout in a double-header in the Metrodome. The pair of games will be the final competition before Bethel heads to Fort Myers, Fla., for its annual spring break trip. First pitch Tuesday night is scheduled for 9:15. Live stats and video will both be available here.