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NORTHFIELD, Minn.—After a 19-6 start to the season and a 6-2 mark in conference play, Bethel University's baseball team dropped its second consecutive double header—falling to Carleton College 5-4 and 8-4 in Northfield Tuesday. The Royals (19-11, 6-6 MIAC) plated the first run in each game, but both times the Knights (12-14, 2-8 MIAC) came back with strong innings to complete the series sweep.
 
Ryan Hangartner had a good day at the plate after pinch-hitting in the top of the fifth. Hangartner laced a double in his first at bat and singled in his second, finishing the first tilt 2-for-2 with a run driven in. Meanwhile Matt Rowley, Luke Schultz, and Bryce Walt each drove in a run.
 
Jake Hanzalik took the hill for the Royals in the opener, giving up five earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched—his shortest outing of his early college career. Keaton Schut and Matt Pearson both had significant relief appearances—giving up zero runs in the remaining 4.2 innings. Schut cleaned up damage in 1.2 innings pitched, while Pearson allowed just one hit in 3.0 innings pitched.
 
Bethel garnered seven hits in the second seven-inning set, with nobody getting more than one hit. Nik Anderson was one of three starters not to get a hit, but finished with one run scored and one driven in.
 
Matt Rowley was credited with his first loss of the season, giving up five earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched. The Royals chased the Knights starter after 3.0 innings pitched, but Carleton's reliever Jackson Tears picked up his first win of the season with a two-inning appearance.
 
Now at 6-6 overall, Bethel will need to bear down in its final eight games to have a chance to get back to the MIAC Playoffs for the second consecutive year. The Royals will travel to St. Peter, Minn., Thursday to take on Gustavus Adolphus College with first pitch set to begin at 2:30 p.m.