ROSEVILLE, Minn.—When a baseball team surrenders runs to an opponent in a half inning of play it's always good to answer back with at least one run in the very next at-bat. Bethel University did more than that in their season opener Tuesday, as the Royals uncorked 25 runs against the University of Northwestern-St. Paul after spotting the Eagles two in the bottom of the first inning. As a result, BU opened the 2017 campaign with a bang thanks to a 25-2 victory over UNW.
 
Bethel's 25 runs came on 24 hits, six walks, and one sacrifice fly. Among the 24 hits were seven doubles, one triple, and two home runs.
 
20 players were able to get at least one at-bat throughout the nine-inning contest and no player finished with more than six plate appearances. Of those 20 players to get a swing, 16 managed to get on base at least once and seven were perfect at the plate.
 
Senior Bret Neuville was an impressive 5-for-5 with a walk, five RBI, and three runs scored. BU's starting first baseman blistered three doubles, including a bases-clearing shot to center in the top of the second inning that put Bethel ahead for good 5-2.
 
Brandon Meyer went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and Sam Horner finished 2-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI.
 
Having an exceptional debut as a member of the Royals was Joey Fredrickson and Michael Wesner. Fredrickson, who started at third base, went 2-for-4 with a home run, which resulted in two RBI and three runs scored. Wesner, who started in right, also went 2-for-4 with the team's only triple, which yielded three RBI and two runs scored.
 
As strong as the hitters were, Bethel's pitching was equally good. Noah Luedtke got the start and suffered the team's only runs allowed, but Luedtke struck out a team-high four batters after giving up the two-run shot. Michael Willman earned the win by striking out three in a scoreless third and fourth inning, while Houston Droel and Michael Bohlke combined for three strikeouts and no runs allowed in the fifth through eighth frames. Carson Selin closed out the game with a scoreless ninth.
 
Despite the perfect 60-degree tempts and breath-taking sunsets that Tuesday's game offered, Bethel is taking matters into their own hands for the next four games. BU takes on UW-Stout on February 27 and Buena Vista on March 5 at U.S. Bank Stadium. First pitch between the Royals and Blue Devils is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.