ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University welcomed Saint Mary's University to Hargis Park Saturday afternoon for a conference clash between the top two teams in the MIAC. The Royals (21-7, 8-4 MIAC), like we've seen so many times this season, received standout performances from their starting pitchers in both games, but walked away from the weekend matinee with a split against the Cardinals (14-11, 8-2 MIAC), who entered the day atop the conference standings. BU dropped Saturday's opener by a final score of 2-1 in 10 innings before routing SMU 10-1 in the finale.
 
Bethel celebrated the brand new infield at Hargis Park prior to the weekend doubleheader. Those that contributed to the project were welcomed onto the new playing surface and several were asked to throw out a ceremonial first pitch, including Mark and Peter Hargis—sons of Bill and Joan Hargis.
 
The Royals took a 1-0 lead with a RBI-single from Sam Horner in the third inning of game one and the score remained that way until a rare defensive error with two outs in the top of the seventh evened the game at 1-1. Bethel had great opportunities to end the game in the bottom of the seventh and eighth, but couldn't come up with a clutch hit. Meanwhile, Saint Mary's plated the winning run in the top of the 10th with a single, sacrifice bunt, and RBI single.
 
Carson Selin was asked to start game one and gave up one unearned run on five hits, while striking out seven and walking zero in 7.2 innings pitched. Jake Marsh suffered his first loss of the season when pitching 2.1 innings in relief.
 
John Leach continued his hot week, going 2-for-4 with a walk, while Michael Wesner went 1-for-3 with a run and Sam Horner finished 1-for-5 with an RBI.
 
Game two was similar in terms of pitching, but vastly different at the plate. Bethel lit up the scoreboard with four runs in the bottom of the first thanks to an RBI single from Joey Fredrickson and an RBI single from John Horner that scored three runs. The Royals added one more run in the second and fourth innings and four in the fifth, which was highlighted by a two-run double from Sam Horner and a two-run homer from Leach.
 
Connor Malcolm got the win on the mound, allowing one run on seven hits, while striking out three and walking zero in 5.1 innings pitched. Houston Droel and Brady Leahy also held Saint Mary's scoreless in 1.2 innings of relief.
 
The Royals tallied nine hits in game two, highlighted by John Leach's 3-for-4 performance with two doubles, one home run, two RBI, and three runs scored. He's now had three home runs in the last four games. Sam Horner went 2-for-4 with one double, one run, and two RBI, while John Horner went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run.
 
Bethel travels to Northfield, Minn., Sunday, April 29 for a doubleheader against St. Olaf College at 1 and 3 p.m. The Royals then travel to Moorhead, Minn., to take on the Cobbers on Tuesday, May 1 at 1 and 3 p.m.