FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Bethel University baseball team played two games on the annual spring break trip to Fort Myers, Fla. before it was cut short due to COVID-19 precautions.
 
The Royals won the opener Friday morning against Wisconsin Lutheran - a program they've faced just once before - by a score of 7-5. Senior pitcher Connor Malcolm threw five and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks.
 
To get things started in the top of the first frame, the Bethel lineup knocked in two runs thanks to RBI base hits from Mitch Butvilas and Parker Mullenbach.
 
Bethel extended the lead to 4-1 by the sixth inning, and Wisconsin Lutheran responded with two scores to make it 4-3. A three-run outburst in the ninth gave the Royals some insurance. They came across on a passed ball, RBI single from Ty Koehn and a throwing error.
 
A two-run double made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth, but Jake Marsh came in to close out the game with a pair of strikeouts, and Bethel prevailed in the first game of the day.
 
With some reshuffling of teams traveling in the past week, the Royals took on brand-new opponent FDU-Florham in game two, falling 3-2.
 
The Devils struck first in the fourth inning on a wild pitch, but a Joey Fredrickson triple drove in two Bethel runs in the fifth frame for a 2-1 lead. The score would hold until the ninth thanks to eight strong, two-hit innings from Peyton Gallagher and Matthew Bolke.
 
Jake Marsh entered to clinch his second game of the day, but after accumulating three baserunners a wild pitch tied the game and a sacrifice fly gave FDU-Florham the 3-2 advantage.
 
Bethel could not convert in their final chance, posing a threat with runners on first and second and one out. Flyouts from Nick Wibben and Butvilas ended the game.
 
Bethel's baseball season ends with an abbreviated record of 4-4. The NCAA Division III Administrative Committee has also granted an additional season of eligibility for spring sport student-athletes.
 
All Bethel athletic teams on the road for spring break returned home immediately with the entire MIAC spring sports schedule (conference and non-conference) having been cancelled as well. To read the official MIAC statement on spring sport cancellations, click here.