Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ST. PAUL—The Bethel University baseball team's date against Hamline University may have been pushed back because of the snow Wednesday, but the snow didn't stop the Royals from sweeping the Pipers today in a postponed doubleheader at Midway Stadium.
 
The Royals came unglued in game one, defeating Hamline 14-3, however, the second matchup against the Pipers was highly contested as Bethel pulled off a gutsy 2-1 win, scoring the game-winning run in the top of the ninth on a Jarad Watts double to right.
 
Joe Zorn gave Bethel a solid performance as the game one starter on the bump, allowing three unearned runs in five innings. Zorn surrendered seven hits, but gave the Pipers no free passes and struck out two. Curtis Pederson came in for the final two innings and struck out four Hamline batters in his first collegiate outing.


 
Grant Anderson and Logan Lisle both ended Saturday's opener with three hits and two runs. Matt Conrad also went 1-for-1 at the plate with two walks and a hit-by-pitch, while driving in four RBI. Mike Schultz had the hit of the game, blasting a three-run home run off the scoreboard in left center field.
 
Jarad Watts finished the first contest 1-for-2 with two walks and three runs, while Bryce Marquardt tallied two walks, two runs, and one more driven in as Bethel's leadoff batter.
 
14 runs were more than enough in game one, but the Royals mustered the series sweep with a two-run showcase in the nine-inning game that followed in game two. Mike Schultz again had a big hit, driving in the game-tying run in the sixth inning on a double down the left field line that scored Alex Hunter. Jarad Watts then propelled Bethel to victory in the top of the ninth with a clutch two-out double to right field that scored Bryce Marquardt.


 
Bethel's two runs held up thanks to standout pitching throughout the nine-inning contest. Tyler Heitmann received the nod in game two, allowing one run in six innings pitched. Heitmann allowed just six hits and no walks, but stuck out seven Hamline batters.

Heitmann was not the pitcher of decision. Instead, Nick Grachek came in the seventh frame and allowed just one hit in 2.1 innings of relief. Grachek's only allowed hit was a single to start the bottom of the ninth, but after coercing a flyout to second base, Chris Hall came in to close the inning with two flyouts. As a result, Grachek improves to 3-0 on the season and Hall earned his second save this season.
 
With the pair of wins, Bethel improved to 7-1 in MIAC play and remains in second—just one game back of first place. The Royals will continue their conference stretch Saturday at Hargis Park, as they welcome Gustavus Adolphus College for a pair of games beginning at 1:30 (schedule change).