DULUTH, Minn.—The Bethel University baseball team's first NCAA Tournament game lived up to the hype as they opened the Duluth regional with a drama-filled 4-3 loss against No. 7-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in extra innings. The Royals (32-10) trailed the Titans (32-8) 3-1 after the first frame, but clawed their way back and tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the ninth with a pinch-hit, two-out RBI single before UW-Oshkosh scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 12th inning. As a result, all three regional games Thursday ended in walk-off fashion.
BU will now take on Concordia University-Chicago tomorrow at 3 p.m. The Cougars, who entered the regional as the top seed, defeated Bethany Lutheran College 13-12 thanks to five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The Royals' first at-bat in the NCAA Tournament was a leadoff triple by
Sam Horner in the top of the first inning. Horner was able to score on a groundout by
Austin Ledin, giving Bethel an 1-0 lead. The early advantage was short lived, though, as the Titans scored three runs in the bottom half of the first.
Despite the first-inning fireworks, the score remained 3-1 until the eighth when Bethel started to inch closer.
Sam Horner started the inning with a leadoff single and advanced to second on
John Leach's groundout to short.
Austin Ledin then blasted a double to right-center that scored Horner. Still trailing by one run going into the ninth inning,
Michael Wesner hit a two-out double to right-center and then scored when
Brandon Meyer hit a pinch-hit single to right field.
The Royals' pitching and defense received clutch performances the entire night. UW-Oshkosh, who left 17 runners on base throughout the game, had runners on first and second in the second and sixth inning and bases loaded in the fourth, fifth, and eighth inning, but failed to score a run in all five frames. The Titans had runners on second and third with no one out in the eighth inning, but
Connor Malcolm came out of the bullpen and coerced a groundout to second, a strikeout, and a pop fly to short stop. Oshkosh threatened again in the ninth with a leadoff triple to right, but
Jake Marsh came in and retired the next three batters with a comebacker to the pitcher and two strikeouts.
Michael Bohlke gave up three runs on 11 hits and two walks, while striking out four in 7.0 innings pitched.
Connor Malcolm pitched a scoreless eighth and
Jake Marsh was charged with the loss after pitching 3.1 innings in relief. Marsh allowed two hits and one walk, while striking out three.
Bethel recorded eight total hits, including four extra-base hits.
Sam Horner finished 2-for-5 with a triple and two runs, while
Michael Wesner went 2-for-5 with a double and a run.
Austin Ledin finished 1-for-5 with a double, walk, and two RBI.
The loss ends BU's perfect 31-0 record when scoring three or more runs in a game and 15-0 record when scoring first this season.
Updated Tournament Schedule
Thursday, May 17
Friday, May 18
|
Time |
Wade Stadium |
|
| Game 4 |
11 a.m. |
Bethany Lutheran vs. Dubuque |
WATCH | STATS |
| Game 5 |
3 p.m. |
Concordia-Chicago vs. Bethel |
WATCH | STATS |
| Game 6 |
7 p.m. |
North Central (Ill.) vs. UW-Oshkosh |
WATCH | STATS |
