Baseball | 5/6/2015 5:28:00 PM

MIAC Playoffs | Live stats | Live video | MIAC Statistics
 
Participating Teams
#1 Bethel | #2 Saint John's | #3 Concordia | #4 St. Thomas
 
Schedule
Friday, May 8
Game 1: No. 1 Bethel vs. No. 4 St. Thomas | 3 p.m. |
Game 2: No. 2 Saint John's vs. No. 3 Concordia | 6:30 p.m. |
 
Saturday, May 9
Game 3: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser | 11 a.m. |
Game 4: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner | 2 p.m. |  
Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser | 6 p.m. |
 
Sunday, May 10
Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner | 11 a.m. | 
Game 7: Game 6 Rematch (If Necessary) | 2:30 p.m. |
 
Notes
The Bethel File
Bethel University, who missed the postseason from 2001 to 2012, returns to the MIAC Baseball Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year under the direction of fourth-year head coach Brian Raabe. Raabe and the Royals earned the No. 1 seed in this year's tournament after completing the conference schedule with a 15-3 record.
 
New territory
The Royals 30 overall victories and 15 against league opponents are both new program records for the Bethel baseball team. Prior to this season, BU's previous best was 29 wins in 2004 (12-8 MIAC) under the direction of Greg Indlecoffer and 14 MIAC wins in both 2000 under Ken Neuhaus and 2014 under Brian Raabe. Bethel had two MIAC games cancelled this season due to St. Olaf canceling their season.
 
A fresh face
The Bethel University baseball team made history by capturing its first-ever Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) championship this season, ending a 12-year run atop the standings for the University of St. Thomas. The league title comes after a second place finish in 2014.

Trending upward
The Royals' baseball club has witnessed steady growth during Brian Raabe's four years as skipper. In his first campaign Raabe led Bethel to its first playoff appearance in 12 years. Following that turnaround season, the Royals then won their first-ever MIAC Playoff game in 2013 and reached their first-ever conference championship game in 2014. Now heading into the tournament as the No. 1 seed and 2015 MIAC regular season champions, BU has continued the trend of constant improvement.
 
In the polls
Bethel's baseball team has seen its name rise in the national spotlight, as the Royals are ranked No. 28 in Collegiate Baseball Division III Top 30 poll, No. 27 in the D3baseball.com Top 25 poll, and No. 4 in the most recent NCAA region rankings.

The power of nine
Tyler Heitmann improved to 9-0 with a win over Saint Mary's last Saturday. Not only is his unbeaten record on the pitcher's mound impressive, but his nine wins marks a new program record for total wins by a pitcher in a single season. Derek Grosskurth and Ryan Mahoney both had eight in 1992 and 2004, respectively. Heitmann, who ranks No. 5 nationally in total wins, leads the league in wins and total strikeouts (66), while also ranking third in total innings pitched (60.0).
 
Hitting parade
Jarad Watts is batting .417 at the plate with 55 hits in 132 at-bats. Among those 55 hits, Watts has tallied 11 doubles, three triples, and four home runs, while amassing 84 total bases. With two games still assured, Watts needs six hits to tie a program record for hits in a single season. Matt Rowley was the program's pacesetter back in 2012, when he sprayed 61 hits throughout the season.

Behind the plate
Senior catcher Mike Schultz caught 17 of the 18 conference games this season and was in the starting lineup for all 18. Not only was he a workhouse behind the plate, but he was a threat in the batter's box as well. Schultz hit .363 and posted a slugging percentage of .685, thanks to a team-high eight home runs—all within the last 26 days of the season. His eight bombs, along with his 10 doubles and three triples have him as the team leader in total bases thus far (85).
 
Tall drink of water
Senior pitcher Joe Zorn has been sensational in his final year on the hill. The 6-7, right-hander led his team and ranks No. 2 among all MIAC hurlers in innings pitched (63.0). Additionally, Zorn, who is is 6-1 on the season with two saves, posted a 3.14 ERA and two complete-game shutouts, including a nine-inning effort at Carleton on April 11. His 55 strikeouts to seven walks ratio (7.86) ranks No. 16 nationwide.
 
Diaper dandy
Esteban Velasco has been perhaps the brightest newcomer across the league. In his rookie debut, Velasco hit .356 and slugged .416 with 24 runs batted in and 22 runs scored at the No. 9 spot in the lineup. Velasco, who had just four errors in conference play, started 30 of the team's 37 contests at shortstop.
 
X Marq's the spot
Bryce Marquardt has been the catalyst behind Bethel's offensive and defensive production. The Royals' leadoff batter, Marquardt has collected 49 hits in 119 at-bats, including 10 doubles, four triples, and one home run. Marquardt, who is 12-of-15 in stolen base attempts, has scored a team-high 40 runs and has driven in 20 more. Perhaps even more impressive is Marquardt's 59 putouts and three assists with no errors in centerfield.
 
Welcome newcomer
Kelvin Minnig has been a welcome addition to the Bethel University pitching staff. Minnig, who has pitched 19.0 innings in relief all year, has posted a 3.32 ERA with five saves and a 3-0 record in 14 appearances. The 6-3 transfer from North Greenville University (NCAA Division II) has 19 strikeouts in his last 14.0 innings pitched.