ST. PAUL—The Bethel University baseball team continued it's early-season success when defeating the University of Northwestern for the second time this year by a final score of 12-2 Thursday evening.
 
Just like BU's season opener against UNW started, the Eagles (7-12) jumped out to an early advantage—leading 1-0 after two innings completed. But the Royals (15-3) quickly responded, scoring four runs in the third, three in the fifth, two in the sixth, one in the seventh, and two more in the ninth before Northwestern scored their only other run in the final frame.
 
Bethel's four-run spurt in the top of the third inning came on one swing of the bat, when junior Esteban Velasco recorded his first career home run with the bases loaded. BU then plated three more runs in the fifth when Bret Neuville hit into an RBI-groundout and Michael Wesner blasted his third home run of the year with one runner on.
 
Already leading 7-1 after five innings completed, Velasco and Neuville both drove in another run during the sixth to make it 9-1. Joey Fredrickson then tallied a sacrifice fly in the seventh and Andrew Heuss's two-run bomb in the top of the ninth capped off a 12-run day for the Royals' bats.
 
The pitching staff was equally good, as Bethel's five flame-throwers allowed Northwestern two runs on eight hits and three walks, while striking out 10. John Leach earned his first career victory on the mound, as he struck out three and walked none in two innings of relief work. David Cushing got the nod to start the game, allowing two walks and four hits, while striking out four in 4.0 innings of work. Connor Malcom, Jake Marsh, and Brady Leahy all pitched an inning of relief.
 
Bethel finished the day 9-for-35 at the plate with eight walks and one hit by pitch. Of their nine hits, five went for extra bases—including three home runs. Velasco finished the day 1-for-4 with five RBI and Wesner went 2-for-4 with two runs driven in and two runs scored. Lars Anderson also finished with a multi-hit performance and Bret Neuville and Andrew Heuss each finished with a pair of RBI.
 
Thursday's matchup with Northwestern concluded the Royals' nonconference schedule. The meat of their season starts Saturday, April 1, when they travel to Collegeville for their MIAC opener at Saint John's University. First pitch between Bethel and SJU is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Becker Park.