ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- Wow.
 
Not only was Sunday a perfect day for baseball, but it was also an unforgettable way to end the regular season. The Bethel University baseball team swept Saint Mary's University by final scores of 11-2 and 6-5, which gave the Royals (31-8, 16-4 MIAC) their second MIAC Championship in the last three years and the No. 1 seed heading into the 2017 MIAC Playoffs.

The comeback kids were at it again, as they came back from a 3-5 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning of game two and won on a walkoff by a final score of 6-5.  
 John Horner led off the frame with a base hit up the middle, but two deep fly-outs gave the Royals dwindling optimism. That was until Brandon Meyer poked a single to right field and Bret Neuville drew a walk to load the bases. Austin Ledin made the score 4-5 with a hit-by-pitch RBI, which forced the Cardinals (19-20, 9-11 MIAC) to make a pitching change. Despite the new pitcher, the result was the same when Mitch Butvilas tied the score at 5-5 with a hit-by-pitch. Sam Horner then drove in the game-winning run with a hit to third base.
 
That was the third time this season that BU scored at least two runs to tie or win in what was scheduled to be the last inning of play.
 
Five players tallied multiple hits in game one, including Bret Neuville, who went 4-for-4 with three RBI, Bryce Marqaurdt, who went 2-for-4 with one walk, three runs, and one RBI, and Brandon Meyer, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
 
Michael Willman got the start on the mound Sunday's opener and gave up two runs on five hits and one walk, while striking out two in 3.0 innings pitched. Houston Droel (5-1) was credited with the win after surrendering three hits and one walk, and striking out two in 2.0 scoreless innings. Michael Bohlke also threw a very clean sixth and seventh inning, recording one hit allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts in his relief appearance.
 
Bethel posted eight hits, five walks, and three hit-by-pitches at the plate in game two. Joey Fredrickson, who also had two hits in game one, and Bryce Marquardt were the only players with multiple knocks in the nine-inning affair. Marquardt delivered two doubles and one run, while Fredrickson ripped a double and a home run, which led to one run and two RBI.
 
Noah Luedtke started game two and was replaced in the fourth inning after giving up three earned runs on six hits and one walk. Carson Selin then threw 5.0 innings in relief, where he allowed one run on three hits and zero walks, while striking out four. Jake Marsh (3-1) was credited with the win after pitching a scoreless ninth.
 
BU will take on No. 4-seeded Macalester at Saint John's University on Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. The top-seeded Royals split with the Scots in the doubleheader earlier this season.