ST. PAUL  — Bethel University's baseball team fought a long, hard battle in downtown St. Paul on Wednesday afternoon into night as they ended in a split series against Hamline. The Royals [16-14, 6-6 MIAC] started off hot in game one holding the Pipers [16-10, 6-4 MIAC] to just one run until the seventh inning when Hamline put two more on the board. Despite the late-game rally, BU still maanged to win by a final score of 10-3. That momentum couldn't carry over into the second game, however, as Bethel fell to the Pipers 13-9, despite having the bases loaded with one out in the top of the ninth.

Senior Tyler Heitman dominated at the pitcher's mound and improved to 3-3 on the season. In 5.0 innings pitched, Heitman held the Pipers to just four hits, one earned run and one walk in game one. Heitman also fanned seven along the way.

Bryce Marquardt went 6-10 at the plate. A double, triple, one walk, and four singles helped the junior outfielder score five runs and drive in four RBI. Matt Conrad went 3-8 with a run and an RBI, while Jared Watts went 3-7 with three runs and two RBI, and Sam Horner finished 4-8 with two runs and two RBI. Bret Neuville plated five base runners throughout the day.

The Royals get a break from MIAC play, as they host the College of St. Scholastica this Sunday. First pitch against the Saints is scheduled at Hargis Park for 1 p.m.