MINNEAPOLIS—Bethel University's baseball team bounced back from Saturday's setback at St. Olaf with a pair of wins over Augsburg College at Parade Stadium Tuesday afternoon. The Royals (21-5, 6-2 MIAC) pulled off a 5-1 come-from-behind victory in game one and then steadily cruised to a 7-1 win in game two for a series sweep over the Auggies (13-15, 1-7 MIAC).
 
Tuesday's opener was a nail-biter as BU trailed 1-0 after five completed innings. The Royals made their move in the sixth, however, scoring three in the top of the sixth and two in the top of the seventh to closeout the game with a four-run margin.
 
Esteban Velasco started the sixth with a double down the left field line and Michael Wesner sacrificed him to third. Bret Neuville then tallied his team-high 28th RBI with a single to right and later scored on a Mitch Butvilas single to right. Brandon Meyer's sacrifice fly that scored Austin Ledin completed the three-run frame.
 
Already leading 3-1 going into the seventh, BU added two more in the final frame when Sam Horner singled to start the inning and later stole second. He came around to score on a single from Michael Wesner and Esteban Velasco scored thanks to another RBI hit from Neuville.
 
Michael Willman improved to 5-1 on the season after allowing one run on four hits and two walks, while striking out four in 5.0 innings pitched. Jake Marsh earned save No. 4 on the season with a 1-2-3 effort in both the sixth and seventh frames. Marsh struck out two and held the Auggies hitless and walk-less in the final two innings.
 
Unlike the first game, Bethel started with the lead in game two and never relinquished their advantage. BU got a go-ahead run in the third, two in the fourth, and four in the ninth to earn the 7-1 victory.
 
Sam Horner, Jake Schubert, and Esteban Velasco began the third inning with three consecutive singles, which led to one run. Two walks from Brandon Meyer and John Horner and two singles from Mitch Butvilas and Sam Horner in the fourth frame then helped the Royals score two more to make the score 3-0.
 
Augsburg narrowed the gap with a run in the fifth, but no further damage was done until BU plated four insurance runs in the ninth. Jake Schubert started the frame with a walk, which was followed by Esteban Velasco's sac bunt, Michael Wesner's single, Bret Neuville's single, and Austin Ledin's home run.
 
Noah Luedtke was sensational, allowing six hits and zero walks, while striking out three over the course of 7.0 innings pitched. Houston Droel threw a 1-2-3 eighth before Jake Marsh pitched around a leadoff double in the ninth with two strikeouts and a groundout.
 
Bret Neuville and Sam Horner both finished the day with four hits. Neuville went 4-for-9 with two RBI and two runs, while Horner went 4-for-7 with one RBI and two runs scored. Esteban Velasco went 2-for-6 with a double, one RBI, and two runs scored, while Austin Ledin's bomb helped the junior go 2-for-8 with one walk, three RBI, and two runs.
 
Bethel's season continues Saturday afternoon when they play host to Carleton College in their home opener. The Royals and Knights are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., but fans are encouraged to come early for a special first pitch ceremony.