ST. PAUL—Bethel University's baseball team kicked off the 2016 season in perhaps the best way possible Saturday afternoon, as the Royals (1-0) not only defeated the University of Northwestern by a final score of 12-1, but they did it on a 59-degree day in February. The opening-day victory over the Eagles (0-1) was BU's first-ever outdoor game in February.
The 2015 MIAC Champions began the 2016 campaign with 17 hits, six walks, and two hit by pitches, which led to 12 runs and 13 runners left on base. Bret Neuville had a monstrous day at the plate, as the junior finished 4-for-4 with three runs scored and five driven in. Neuville started the game with a walk in the first inning, a single in the second, a grand slam in the fourth, and a double in the sixth.
Lars Anderson led off the game with a two-out, two-RBI double that gave the Royals a 2-0 advantage after the first frame. Newcomer Sam Horner then laced a triple in his first collegiate at bat in the second inning and scored on Ryan Evenson's ensuing double. Bryce Marquardt drove in Evenson with a single in his second at bat of the game and Neuville gave BU at 5-0 advantage when singling home Marquardt.
Already leading 9-0 after four innings of play, Bethel added an insurance run on Lars Anderson's sacrifice fly in the sixth and two more in the seventh when Jarad Watts blasted a two-run home run.
In addition to Neuville's hot start to the season, Ryan Evenson also had a great performance in his first career start. Evenson finished 3-for-3 with a walk, double, and two singles in four plate appearances.
Jake Hanzalik got the nod in Saturday's season opener. The senior, right-hander allowed zero runs and three hits in 3.1 innings pitched, while striking out three and walking one. Grant Martinson came in for 0.2 innings and was able to coerce a bases-loaded double-play to get out of the fourth.
Nine-game winner in 2015, Tyler Heitmann came in to pitch the next four innings, allowing no runs and three hits during the stretch. Heitmann's four strikeouts and zero walks allowed him to earn the decision in relief.
The Royals now have to wait for two weeks before they can get back to the diamond. Bethel's next competition will be in Florida, when they open their annual spring break trip with a doubleheader against Plymouth State on Friday, March 11 at 3 p.m. (ET).
