ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University picked up a critical sweep over Gustavus Adolphus College Saturday afternoon, which helped them stay within striking distance of the MIAC regular season crown with four games remaining. The Royals (28-6, 13-3 MIAC) jumped out to an early 8-0 lead in game one and cruised to a convincing 12-1 triumph, but the Gusties (19-15, 7-9 MIAC) made things very interesting in game two before BU ended with a thrilling 7-6 win in the nine-inning finale.
 
The Royals put a four spot up in the first and second innings of game one, which was more than enough for starting pitcher Michael Bohlke. Leading 8-0 already, BU added one more in the fourth and three in the fifth before Gustavus got one back in the top of the seventh.
 
Bohlke finished his day with a complete-game victory. The sophomore allowed six hits and zero walks, while striking out five in 7.0 innings pitched.
 
Scoring the first run of the game was Bryce Marquardt, who passed Kirby Carr's all-time record for career runs (140) after touching home plate.  Marquardt went on to finish game one 2-for-3 with one HBP and three runs scored.
 
Also having exceptional performances at the plate was Lars Anderson, Mitch Butvilas, Sam Horner, and Joey Fredrickson. Anderson went 2-for-4 with one double, two runs, and three RBI, while Butvilas finished 2-for-3 with one walk, two runs, and two RBI. Sam Horner collected two hits, which included a double, a walk, one run, and three RBI in his four plate appearances, while Joey Fredrickson recorded two hits, including a double, one run, and two RBI in his return to the lineup.
 
Game two wasn't nearly as easy for Bethel as it seemed as if every time the Royals scored, Gustavus would answer right back. The seesaw started in the second inning when Sam Horner gave Bethel a 1-0 lead with a solo home run to left. The Gusties tallied the equalizer in the third and then went up 3-2 before the Royals answered with a two-RBI double from Bret Neuville in the fifth.
 
GAC tied it immediately in the sixth, but Bethel answered again with a two-run home run from Joey Fredrickson in the bottom of the frame. GAC got one run in the seventh, which was matched by Sam Horner's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the frame. Ryan Evenson then hit a two-out single to center in the eighth that scored Jake Schubert, which proved to be vital as Gustavus scored two runs in the top of the ninth.
 
David Cushing got his first career save when he coerced Gustavus into a double play with runners on first and second with one out in the ninth. Cushing came in for Jake Marsh, who threw 1.2 innings of work and got out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh. Marsh relieved John Leach, who improved to 2-0 on the season after throwing an inning of relief. Houston Droel and Carson Selin also saw time on the bump early in game two.
 
Joey Fredrickson continued his terror at the plate in game two, finishing Saturday's finale 3-for-4 with one double, one home run, one run scored, and two RBI. Brandon Meyer went 2-for-4 with a double and one run scored, while Sam Horner finished 1-for-3 with one home run, one sacrifice fly, one run scored, and two RBI.
 
Bethel's 2017 campaign continues Tuesday with what looks to be the premier matchup of the regular season. The Royals travel to the University of St. Thomas for a twin bill with the Tommies slated to begin at 2:30 p.m. UST currently stands one game ahead of BU atop the MIAC standings with two doubleheaders remaining.