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MINNETONKA, Minn.—For the first time in program history the Bethel University baseball team will play in the championship game of the MIAC Playoffs thanks to a 7-4 win over Saint Mary's University in Saturday's night cap. The Royals fell to St. Thomas 6-1 in the second game of the afternoon, but were able to overcome an exit from the tournament, despite a one-hour and 16 minute weather delay while playing SMU, with a victory in the elimination game.

With the win Saturday evening, Bethel will take on St. Thomas in the championship game of the 2014 MIAC Baseball Playoffs Sunday morning at 11 a.m. In order to receive the automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Tournament, the Royals would have to defeat the Tommies twice because of the double-elimination format within the tournament.

BU and UST's matchup tomorrow will be the second of the postseason and the fourth of the year. Earlier Saturday, St. Thomas defeated Bethel 6-1 in the winner's matchup. The Royals collected five hits and scored its only run in the fifth inning when Bryce Marquardt drilled a double down the left field line and scored on a single to right field by Matt Conrad. Marquardt finished the contest 2-for-4.

Jake Hanzalik was asked to start on the hill for Bethel and received his third loss of the season after allowing four earned runs, nine hits, and two walks in 4.0 innings pitched. Joe Zorn gave up one run in 3.0 innings of relief, but struck out five Tommies at the plate. Matt Pearson and Keaton Schut toed the rubber in the final inning of game one.

Bethel's second contest of the day was an absolute slug-fest, as the Royals and Cardinals combined for 31 hits—but only 11 runs. The two teams had to be crafty, however, as play was paused after 7.1 innings because of lightning and thunder. One hour and 16 minutes later play resumed and even though both teams scored one run in their next at-bats, the deficit at the end of the game remained the same as before the break.

SMU initiated the scoring, plating two runs in the top of the first inning. Bethel never quit, however, as they collected a trio of runs in the home half of the second, one more in the fourth, a pair in the sixth, and an insurance run in the eighth.

Logan Lisle was sensational Saturday night, as the sophomore third baseman went 4-for-4 at the plate with a single, two doubles, and a triple. Lisle also drove in two runs and scored three times. Just as influential was Bryce Marquardt, who finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and an exceptional catch in centerfield that saved multiple SMU runs.

Jarad Watts played well too, as the sophomore second baseman went 3-for-3 with two runs. Nik Anderson and brother, Lars Anderson, each recorded two hits, with Lars scoring twice and Nik driving in a run. Nik Anderson is 6-for-11 at the plate this weekend with three RBIs and one run scored.

Tyler Heitmann got the nod in the Royals' second game of the tournament—fourth of the season—against the Cardinals. After allowing two runs in the top of the first, Heitmann allowed two runs the rest of the way through 7.1 innings pitched. Had the delay never happened, Heitmann would've likely continued pitching in the top of the eighth. The sophomore righty surrendered 12 hits and one walk, but struck out five throughout his performance. Joe Zorn collected his first save of the season thanks to a scoreless 1.2 innings of relief. Zorn allowed two hits, but struck out two in the victory.

Bethel is now 23-11 on the season and enters the championship game of the MIAC Playoffs for the first time. The Royals continue to improve, as they reached their first postseason appearance after a 12-year drought in 2012, won their first playoff game in 2013, and advanced to their first championship game in 2014.