ST. PAUL, Minn. – After giving up three runs in the top of the first, the Bethel University baseball team scored nine unanswered to claim its second MIAC Playoff Championship in four years defeating Gustavus Adolphus, 9-3.
 
The Royals are the first MIAC team since 2014 to win both the regular season and playoff titles. Earning the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, BU will find out where it's headed for the regional round Monday at 11 a.m. central time during the selection show on NCAA.com
 
Leadoff man Matthew Carlsen was a big time run producer going 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs. On the mound Marcus Krupke picked up the win tossing seven innings of work striking out four and giving up three runs.
 
The Gusties came out swinging plating three runs on four hits in their first at bat.
 
But then in the home half of the third the Royals offense began its comeback efforts. Carlsen kick started things with an RBI double to right before scoring the next at bat as Tommy Friesen singled. Justin Winterfeldt tied it up with a double down the left field line.
 
In the sixth, BU opened it up with a four spot. Taking advantage of a GAC error, Noah Wenberg scored giving Bethel the lead for good. Carlsen opened up that lead with a two-RBI double to the gap in right.
 
Krupke worked out of a jam in the seventh where GAC put runners on the corners. A grounder right to him made for an easy play escaping the jam.
 
Keenan Hodgkin blew it open in the home half of the inning belting his fifth homer of the year.
 
Out of the pen came Blake Williams getting a one-two-three eighth. In the ninth, the Gusties led off with a double before Williams recorded back-to-back strikeouts. A hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded them before closing the door shut with a big strikeout.
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