Box Score

MINNETONKA, Minn.—After going winless in the postseason prior to last season, Bethel University's baseball team collected its second postseason victory Friday night with an 11-8 victory at Veteran's Field in Minnetonka, Minn. The Royals (22-10) used a five-run seventh inning to power past Saint Mary's University, who had just tied the game at 6-6 in the previous half inning, en route to an 11-8 win. With the decision Bethel will take on the University of St. Thomas tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. at the same location in the winner's bracket.

Bethel totaled 15 hits and four walks, along with three SMU errors, to advance to the second round. Bryce Marquardt had an exceptional day at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 with two runs and two stolen bases. Teammate Nik Anderson also had a sensational performance with three hits, two RBI, one run, and one stolen base.

Matt Conrad and Mike Schultz also collected a pair of hits Friday night under the lights, as Conrad went 2-for-4 with two RBI and Schultz went 2-for-5 with one run scored and another driven in.

Matt Herringshaw got the nod in game one Friday, and allowed eight hits, six runs (five earned), and two walks, while striking out five in 6.1 innings pitched. Chris Hall was asked to toe the rubber in the final 2.2 innings of relief and earned the win after allowing three hits, two runs, four walks, and four strikeouts.

The Royals strongest surge came in the seventh, when BU scored five runs on four hits and one error. Grant Anderson started the frame with a one-out triple to left-centerfield and was brought in with a sacrifice fly by Luke Schultz. With two outs Bethel continued to apply the pressure, as Jarad Watts drew a 12-pitch walk and advanced to third on a stolen base and wild pitch. Nik Anderson then drove in Watts with a single to center, followed by a pinch-hit walk by Mike Whartnaby. Bryce Marquardt then singled to the short stop and an overthrow allowed Anderson to score and Whartnaby to take third. After Bryce Marquardt stole second, Matt Conrad plated two more runs for the Royals with a slow roller down the third base line. Those five runs would be pivotal, as the Cardinals scored a two-run home run in the top of the ninth and had the tying run at the plate with two outs.

Bethel will take on St. Thomas tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. in the winner's matchup of the second round of the 2014 MIAC Playoffs. The two teams split in the regular season with the Royals' win coming on a memorable walk-off home run by Mike Schultz. For all information about the MIAC Playoffs and links for live stats and webcasts please click here.