ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's baseball team enjoyed two shutout wins over Carleton College in their 2017 home opener Monday afternoon thanks to a pair of dynamite pitching performances from Carson Selin and Michael Bohlke. As a result, the Royals (23-5, 8-2 MIAC) defeated the Knights (8-16, 1-7 MIAC) by a final score of 8-0 and 6-0.
 
Prior to today's first pitch, Bethel remembered Joan Hargis, a long-time fan of Bethel baseball and wife of 28-year volunteer coach Bill Hargis.  Not only was the third base dugout named in honor of Joan, but Bill and Joan's five grandchildren were asked to throw a ceremonial first pitch.
 
 
Game One
 
BU jumped out in front of Carleton early in game one when Sam Horner hit a bases-loaded single with nobody out to score Michael Wesner. Jake Schubert then drove in another run with a groundout to the short stop.
 
Bethel added two more runs in the third when Lars Anderson drove a two-out home run over the left field fence with Austin Ledin standing on first. Anderson's home run wasn't the only bomb of the day, as Bryce Marquardt lasered a solo shot in the fourth to make it 5-0.
 
The Royals added two more in the fifth thanks to a bases-loaded double from Sam Horner and one more in the sixth after Lars Anderson delivered a two-out single to right that scored Brady Soderstrom from second base.
 
Michael Bohlke went the distance in Monday's opener, giving up four hits and one walk while fanning eight in 7.0 innings pitched.
 
Lars Anderson finished the contest 3-for-3 with a walk, two singles, and a home run. Sam Horner went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI, while brother, John Horner, also finished 2-for-3.
 
Game Two
 
Game two had a similar feeling as game one. The Royals scored three runs in the first two innings and never looked back.
 
Bryce Marquardt's leadoff walk in the bottom of the first led to a run thanks to a sacrifice fly from Austin Ledin. Brandon Meyer then hit a bases-loaded single with two outs in the second to put Bethel in front 3-0. Marquardt later tallied an RBI-single in the fourth that scored Sam Horner and scored again in the sixth when Bret Neuville lifted a sacrifice fly. The Royals added an insurance run in the eighth thanks to a defensive error by the Knights.
 
Carson Selin took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning before Carleton got back-to-back singles to right field. Selin's day ended with 10 strikeouts and just two hits and one walk surrendered in 7.0 innings pitched. Grant Martinson then came in with two runners on in the eighth and got the Knights to go down in order. Like Martinson, John Leach came on in the ninth and sent Carleton down 1-2-3.
 
John Horner continued his success at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with one run, while Bryce Marquardt went 2-for-3 with two walks, one run, and one RBI. With his three hits today, Bryce Marquardt tied Kirby Carr for the all-time hits record. Jake Schubert went 0-for-3 with two walks, but scored three times.
 
What's Next?
 
Bethel returns to Hargis Park Wednesday afternoon when they play host to Hamline University. The Royals and Pipers are scheduled to throw the first pitch at 2:30 p.m.