Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's baseball squad not only enjoyed the warmest day of spring so far, but also a big series sweep over MIAC opponent, Macalester College. The Royals (19-6, 6-2 MIAC) got a pair of home runs from Matt Rowley and strong pitching performances in both games to capture a 9-1 and 12-6 win over the Scots (9-16, 2-4 MIAC) in Friday's twin bill.
 
Joe Zorn improved to 2-1 on the season with his nine-hit, zero-walk effort in the opening tilt. Zorn gave up just one run—unearned—in the complete game victory, improving the sophomore hurler's ERA to 1.69 in 32.0 innings of work.
 
Zorn had great aid at the dish, as the Royals finished the opener with 10 hits and three walks—resulting in nine runs scored. Four players garnered two hits, with Jarad Watts leading the way on a 2-for-3 day with a walk, three runs scored and four driven in. Watts drove in a pair of runs with his first collegiate home run in the fourth inning. Matt Rowley had finished the first contest 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI. David Freed and Nik Anderson each had multi-hit games as well.
 
Bethel continued its offensive explosiveness immediately in game two, spotting starting pitcher David Freed a seven-spot in the first inning. Freed went on to pitch five innings, giving up three earned runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out four along the way. The senior from North Oaks, Minn., improved to 2-1 with Friday's showcase. Keaton Schut and Matt Pryor each pitched an inning of relief for the Royals with neither getting credit for a save or hold due to the scoring margin.
 
Batting leaders in game two were again the Royals 1-2-3 hitters and Nik Anderson. Anderson finished the second tilt 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two driven in. Matt Rowley hit his second home run of the day in the third inning—driving in two runs—and scoring a total of three times. The 2012 MIAC Most Valuable Player now has four home runs on the year. David Freed and Jarad Watts had their second two-hit game of the afternoon. In all, the Royals accumulated 13 hits and five walks in 31 total at bats.
 
Saturday will serve as an off day for Bethel before they take on Saint John's University in a MIAC double header at Hargis Park Sunday. First pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 1 p.m. with live stats and webcast both available here.