Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's senior day celebration and final home game of the 2014 season was spoiled by a sweep versus Saint Mary's University Sunday afternoon. Two-run deficits decided the Royals fate in both games against the Cardinals, as SMU took down BU at Hargis Park by the final scores of 3-1 and 6-4.
 
Bethel out-hit the Cardinals on the day, but could not plate the runs when it mattered most. The Royals recorded eight hits in the seven-inning contest to begin the day, but mustered just one run in the 1-3 loss. Mike Schultz, Bret Neuville, and Logan Lisle all had a pair of hits in the matinee, yet it was Lisle who managed the only RBI of the game.
 
Jake Hanzalik toed the rubber in the opener and allowed three earned runs, six hits, and two walks in five innings pitched. Hanzalik struck out six SMU batters, but suffered the loss and dropped to 4-2 on the season. Chris Hall continued his dynamite pitching in relief—allowing no runs in two innings pitched. It was Hall's ninth straight relief appearance with no earned runs.
 
An adjusted lineup came out strong for the Royals in game two, as Bethel took a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning. The Cardinals didn't quit, however, and tallied a four-run frame in the sixth to go ahead for good 6-4.
 
Sean Graff and Bryce Marquardt put BU up 2-1 in the second inning thanks to a RBI sacrifice fly from Graff and a Texas leaguer from Marquardt.  After Saint Mary's tied the game at two apiece, Bethel scored two more in the fourth. Lars Anderson and Sean Graff each logged a base hit and, after Mike Whartnaby sacrified the two over, a passed ball and a throwing error plated both Anderson and Graff.
 
Bethel again finished with eight hits in the second contest and it was Bryce Marquardt along with Lars Anderson that had multi-hit games in the evening tilt. Graff finished 1-for-3 with one run and one RBI, while Ryan Hangartner was also 1-for-3 with a run scored.
 
Tyler Heitmann allowed five runs—three earned—six hits, and four walks in 5.0 innings pitched. Heitmann struck out seven SMU batters, but fell to 3-3 on year with the loss. Joe Zorn pitched four innings of relief, allowing two hits, one run, and no walks in 4.0 innings. Zorn coerced four strikeouts and saw his season ERA drop to 4.04. Moreover, with his outing today Zorn has allowed just six total walks in 55.2 innings pitched.
 
The Royals, who have secured a postseason berth for the third consecutive season, still control their own destiny heading into Monday's doubleheader against Concordia. Should Bethel win at least one game, or Saint Mary's lose one game, BU will take hold the No. 2 seed heading into the 2014 MIAC Playoffs at Veteran's Field in Minnetonka, Minn., next weekend. If the Royals were to get swept and the Cardinals sweep St. Olaf Tuesday, Bethel would then assume the No. 4 seed.
 
BU will take on the Cobbers Monday afternoon in Moorhead, Minn., with the first pitch scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Concordia College plans to honor legendary head coach Bucky Burgau, who is retiring after his 35 years of coaching the Cobbers, prior to the first pitch by naming the baseball field in his name.