Box Score

MINNETONKA, Minn.—After winning their first postseason game in program history, Bethel University fell to the University of St. Thomas Saturday afternoon and was, as a result, eliminated from the 2013 MIAC Baseball Playoffs. The Royals (24-15, 10-10 MIAC) surrendered four runs—all with two outs—in the first three innings and gave up four unearned runs along the way, which was all the Tommies (32-5, 19-1 MIAC) need to advance to the MIAC Championship game.
 
Bethel got three runs—all in the top of the sixth inning—as Nik Anderson, Matt Rowley, and Mike Schultz all scored in the frame. A throwing error with two runners on sent Anderson from second base home before Jarad Watts and Austin Hanson each singled later in the inning, which drove in two more runs.
 
Altogether, the Royals amassed eight hits throughout the nine-inning contest with Austin Hanson leading the way. The first baseman from Mounds View, Minn., finished 2-for-3 with one RBI. Six other BU batters recorded one hit, including Mike Schultz's extra base hit in the top of the fourth.
 
Joe Zorn was credited with the loss, as the righty hurler gave up all ten runs—six earned—in five innings pitched. While on the bump, the Stillwater, Minn., native allowed 11 hits, two walks, and struck out three in 95 pitches. Zorn's teammate Sean Glenn finished the final three innings and allowed just three hits, no walks, and no runs, while throwing just 35 pitches.
 
The Tommies No. 1 pitcher, Dylan Thomas, who the Royals had defeated last Sunday 2-0 at Hargis Park, gave up seven hits and zero walks, while surrendering three runs—one earned--in his seventh victory of the season.
 
Bethel's 2013 season comes to a close after making their second consecutive trip to the postseason, after a 12-year hiatus. The Royals 24 wins is the most since the 2004 season, when BU finished 29-11, but missed the playoffs with a 12-8 record in league play.