COLLEGEVILLE, Minn.—Bethel University's baseball team played at Saint John's University for the third straight day and, just like the first two days, rode back to campus with a split—today's coming against defending MIAC Playoff champion Macalester College. The Royals (18-6, 5-3 MIAC) dropped the first contest to the Scots (15-10, 5-3 MIAC) by a final score of 6-2, but salvaged a split in the series thanks to the arm of Sam Riola and a slugfest from Bethel's bats in game two.
 
BU and MAC were knotted at 1-1 after two innings of play in Monday's opener. The Scots then jumped ahead with a two-run home run in the third to take an early 3-1 lead. Bethel had a chance to tie in the fifth when they had runners on first and second with one out. But after scoring a run on a Macalester error, BU's next two batters lined out to the outfield. The Scots' pounced after getting out of the inning with just one run allowed, scoring three runs in the sixth to secure the 6-2 victory.
 
Bethel recorded just two hits and three walks in game one against Macalester. It was John Leach that finished 2-for-3 at the plate, while Joey Fredrickson and John Horner both finished 0-for-2 with a walk and one run scored.
 
David Cushing got the start on the mound and gave up five hits, zero walks, and three runs, while also striking out one in 4.1 innings pitched. Joel Virshek and Brady Leahy both pitched 1.1 innings in relief.
 
Game two was all Bethel from start to finish. The Royals scored two in the first, three in the second, and four in the third, while BU's pitching and defense blanked Macalester for all seven frames.
 
Sam Riola improved to 2-0 in his rookie campaign with a complete-game shutout. Riola allowed two hits and two walks, while striking out six in the seven-inning contest. The freshman from Ham Lake, Minn., threw just 79 pitches, which includes 33 in the opening two frames.
 
Austin Ledin continues to showcase his power, hitting his seventh home run of the season—third in as many days—that resulted in three RBI for BU. Michael Wesner and Joey Fredrickson each finished with two hits, while Sam Horner scored three runs and Esteban Velasco two.
 
The Royals get one day to breathe before they welcome Gustavus Adolphus College to campus for their home opener on Wednesday, April 25 at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. The midweek series will mark Bethel's first games on the newly-turfed Hargis Park.