FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Bethel University baseball team sparked another late rally before falling to Plymouth State 12-7 Saturday afternoon in Fort Myers. The Royals fall to 3-2 on the season and are back in action tomorrow as they take on The College of Old Westbury in a twin bill beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.

Bethel's top of the order did damage as leadoff hitter Sam Horner and three hitter Mitch Butvilas combined to drive in five of the Royals seven runs. Horner went 3-for-5 with a run and walk while Butvilas was 4-for-5 with a double. Mitchell Jerde blasted the Royals first home run of the season during his 3-for-5 day.

The Royals hopped on the board in the home half of the first with Butvilas doubling down the right field line to drive in Horner who led off the half inning with an infield single. Plymouth State responded back in the second with a crooked number before Horner drove in Thomas Friesen to tie things up at 2-2 after two innings of play.

In the fourth, the Panthers added one more before Bethel starter Peyton Gallagher departed surrendering three runs through four innings of work.  Plymouth State took advantage of an early sixth inning error as they strung four hits together to plate five runs to lead 8-2.

BU found its stride in the seventh where the Royals sent all nine hitters to the plate. A leadoff walk to Joey Fredrickson set up Jerde to blast a two run shot over the left center wall cutting the deficit down to four. The Royals showed their patience once again drawing four walks in five at bats. Butvilas once again came through driving in two runs with his single up the middle to make it 8-7.

Plymouth State came right back at BU's bullpen scoring a pair of runs in the final two frames. BU put one runner in scoring position in its final two at bats before falling 12-7.