Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MINNEAPOLIS—The Bethel University baseball team continued its ascent to the top of the MIAC standings Friday evening with a series sweep over Augsburg College at Parade Stadium. The Royals utilized a three-run inning in the first game to top the Auggies 3-1 before coming from behind with a clutch two-out, four-run rally in the eighth inning of game two for the 6-4 victory. BU's sweep over Augsburg marks the team's fifth sweep in loop play—the first time this has happened since the 2000 season. 
 
Matt Herringshaw improved to 3-0 on the year with his complete-game performance in Friday's opener. Herringshaw allowed just three hits, two walks, and one run, while striking out four in seven innings.
 
Jarad Watts and Luke Schultz benefitted Herringshaw greatly, as the two drove in three runs for the Royals in the top of the fourth inning. Matt Conrad began the inning with a base hit and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Schultz then doubled to deep center field, which scored Conrad for the game's first run. With two outs in the inning Grant Anderson drew a walk and Jarad Watts drove in both Anderson and Schultz with a triple to right center. The triple extended Watts's seven-game hitting streak and gave him his ninth and tenth RBI in that stretch.
 
The Royals collected six hits in all throughout the first game, with Luke Schultz going 2-for-3 with the RBI and run scored in the fourth frame. Cousin, Mike Schultz, also finished 1-for-3 with a walk.
 
Friday's nine-inning affair that followed the first matchup between Augsburg and Bethel was just as close as the first game; however, the Royals two-out hits were critical in pushing them past the hosting Auggies.
 
Augsburg initiated the scoring with a RBI groundout in the bottom of the second inning, but BU plated the equalizer in the fourth thanks to a sacrifice fly from Grant Anderson. Both teams scored a run over the next inning, yet it was the Auggies that looked to be in control with a two-run lead after seven frames.
 
That's when things got interesting.
 
Augsburg relieved their starting pitcher in the top of the eighth inning and he retired the first two Bethel batters. Then with two outs Bret Neuville drew a walk, Grant Anderson singled to left center—sending Neuville to third, Matt Conrad laced a single to left, Nik Anderson singled to left, Logan Lisle singled to center, and Bryce Marquardt singled to left. Five consecutive singles and four straight hits that drove in runs proved to be critical for Bethel's two-out rally that put the Royals ahead for good 6-4 in the eighth.
 
Jake Hanzalik got the nod in game two and gave up four runs, two walks, and five hits in 6.1 innings pitched. It was Chris Hall's relief effort, though, that helped the Royals secure the 6-4 victory and the series sweep in Friday's twin bill. Hall allowed just one walk, but no hits and no runs in 2.2 innings of work. Hall's performance awarded him with the win, improving his record to 2-0 on the season with three saves. In his last eight outings, Hall has allowed zero runs, three walks, and six hits in 10.0 innings pitched.

Grant Anderson finished game two 3-for-4 with a run scored and another driven in. He is now batting .464 on the season with a .530 on base percentage, both of which rank No. 2 among all MIAC players. Bryce Marquardt finished game two 3-for-5 at the dish with a double and a run batted in, while Logan Lisle was 2-for-4 with a RBI.  Bret Neuville and Nik Anderson both finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored. 

Now 19-6 on the season with a 12-2 record in conference play, the Royals continue to chase the 2014 MIAC Championship with three double headers remaining against league opponents. Bethel will travel down to Northfield, Minn., Saturday afternoon for a matinee against St. Olaf, followed by a trip to Moorhead, Minn., Tuesday to take on the Cobbers of Concordia. Both competitions are scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch.