ST. PAUL, Minn. – Behind the arm of freshman right-hander
Max Sutter and timely hitting down the stretch, the top-seeded Bethel University baseball team landed itself in the MIAC Championship game Saturday following a 7-2 victory over Gustavus Adolphus.
The Royals only need one win tomorrow to produce another pile. They are looking to become the first team since 2014 to win both the MIAC regular season and playoff championships. BU will have a rematch with either Saint John's or Gustavus Adolphus at 3 p.m. An if necessary game will be played right after should BU lose the first one.
BU got another complete game effort from its starter where Sutter struck out four, walked one and gave up six hits.
Noah Wenberg was the lone Royal with a multi-RBI day.
Gustavus plated its first run in the second as Sutter was called for a balk with the bases jammed. After that it was shutout baseball from the young arm until giving up a run in the ninth.
With the bases loaded in the fourth an error by GAC extended the inning while
Tommy Friesen scored on the play.
Matthew Carlsen gave Bethel the lead for good scoring
Nick Kulseth on a tag up from a deep fly ball to left in the fifth.
The Gusties threatened in the bottom of the fifth putting a pair in scoring position with one out.
Keenan Hodgkin fired a ground to first over to
James Woelfel at the plate beating the runner before a fielder's choice place put BU back in the dugout.
Run production continued in the sixth and seventh with RBI singles from
Marcus Krupke and Wenberg. Friesen and Brandt each brought in runs during the ninth.
