COLLEGEVILLE, Minn.—Bethel University's baseball team kicked off the new-look 2018 MIAC schedule with the first of three doubleheaders scheduled at Saint John's University this weekend.  The Royals (16-4, 3-1 MIAC) opened with the Johnnies (16-4, 2-2 MIAC), and the two split the morning series by final scores of 0-1 and 4-1.
 
Saturday's opener, which started at 9 a.m., was a pitcher's duel from start to finish. Both teams mustered four hits in the seven innings played and it was Saint John's that managed the only run with a single, sacrifice bunt, and single in the bottom of the second. BU had a golden opportunity in the sixth with runners on second and third and one out, but a sharp line drive was sniped by the Saint John's pitcher and the runner at third was picked off in the same play, eliminating the threat.
 
Michael Bohlke pitched a complete game for the Royals, allowing four hits, two walks, and one run, while striking out eight in 6.0 innings pitched. Mitch Butvilas recorded two of the team's four hits, while Jake Schubert and Bo Lovdahl each posted abase hit.
 
The series finale was eerily similar, as the two teams were knotted at 0-0 after three innings complete. But Austin Ledin broke the ice with a leadoff homer to left center in the fourth. SJU then evened the game at one with a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Sam Horner led off the sixth with a double and scored when Austin Ledin blasted the game-winning RBI with a single up the middle. BU put up two more insurance runs in the seventh when Mitch Butvilas hit a two-run sacrifice fly to right field. SJU's outfielder made a diving grab and got up to show the umpire, which allowed runners on both second and third to score.
 
Noah Luedtke got the nod for Bethel in game two. The senior allowed one run on five hits and three walks, while striking out two in 4.1 innings pitched. Joel Virshek got the win in relief, as he came in with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth and held the Johnnies to one run on a sacrifice fly. Jake Marsh earned his third save of the season by pitching a scoreless sixth and seventh inning. He allowed one hit and zero walks, while striking out one in six batters faced.
 
The Royals collected seven hits in game two, including a pair from Austin Ledin and Sam Horner. Horner posted a double, single, walk, and stolen base, while Ledin enjoyed a home run, single, one run scored, and two RBI.
 
Bethel will return to Collegeville Sunday evening when they take on Hamline University at 7 and 9 p.m. Live stats and video will be available here.