Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Strong pitching and timely hitting. Those two ingredients were critical to Bethel's sweep over Gustavus Adolphus in today's MIAC twin bill. The Royals (16-5, 9-1 MIAC) pair of victories over the Gusties (5-17, 2-10 MIAC) not only improves Bethel's overall record and 9-1 mark against league opponents, but it also gives BU its fourth conference sweep of the season—something that hasn't been done since 2010. In fact, Bethel's three consecutive league sweeps is a program record.
 
The Royals benefitted greatly from sensational pitching all day long, as the starting rotation and the pen allowed just two runs in 16 innings pitched. Matt Herringshaw allowed the only two runs of the day within his start in game one. Herringshaw allowed nine hits throughout his six-inning effort, but struck out four and walked none. Herringshaw's no-walk showcase started a trend for Bethel Saturday, as they wouldn't allow a base on balls all day. 


 
Chris Hall entered the first game in the top of the seventh and pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Hall's effort secured his second save in as many days and his third on the season. Meanwhile, Herringshaw improved to 2-0 on the season following his outing.
 
Grant Anderson was the only Royal to tally multiple hits in the first game, finishing the contest 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and one run scored.
 
Bethel got three runs in the third inning—all with two outs—when Bryce Marquardt doubled to left field, Matt Conrad hit a RBI-single through the left side, Mike Schultz tripled to deep left field and then scored on a wild pitch. The Gusties got two runs back in the top of the fourth, but Jarad Watts gave the Royals two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth thanks to more clutch two-out hitting. This time Watts hit an opposite-field single that scored Anderson and Luke Schultz to give Bethel the eventual 5-2 win.
 


Game two featured more dynamic pitching, as Jake Hanzalik got the nod as the Royals' starter. Hanzalik allowed just three hits, no walks, and struck out five in seven innings pitched to help the sophomore righty improve to 4-1 on the season. Hanzalik coerced 14 of the 23 batters he faced to hit ground balls, while also striking out five. Sean Glenn then safeguarded the shutout with two scoreless innings of relief.
 
Bret Neuville put the Royals on the board first with a three-run opposite-field home run that put Bethel ahead 3-0. Bryce Marquardt then drove in Nik Anderson with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. One inning later, Jarad Watts continued his standout weekend with his own three-run to put the Royals up 7-0. Grant Anderson finished BU's scoring with a RBI base hit in the sixth that put the finishing touches on an 8-0 shutout.


 
Bryce Marquardt, Nik Anderson, Jarad Watts, and Logan Lisle all finished the second game with multiple hits, while Mike Schultz and Grant Anderson each continued their hit streak. Schultz has now hit safely in nine games, while Anderson is riding a seven-game streak. In his seven-game streak, Anderson is 13-for-26 (.500), while Schultz is 13-for-35 (.372) in his nine-game ascent.
 
The Royals, now 9-1 in loop play, have a date with the Tommies, who are unbeaten (12-0) against MIAC foes, Tuesday at Hargis Park. First pitch for the much-anticipated matchup is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.