ARDEN HILLS, Minn – The Bethel baseball team closed out their regular season schedule Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader split against UW-Stout.
The Royals found themselves down 5-0 after three innings of play, before rallying for five in the fourth on a pair of two-run homers by
Zach Thompson and
Isaac Call. Bethel put a seven spot on the board in the fifth for a 12-5 lead, eventually going on to win by a 13-8 final.
In game two UW-Stout grabbed a 10-1 lead, the Royals tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth and seventh innings but it wasn't enough falling by a final score of 11-5. Closing the regular season with an overall record of 22-14 and 13-7 in the MIAC.
Game one Bethel 13, UW-Stout 8:
The Royals fell behind early in game one as the Blue Devils plated three in the second and two in the third for a 5-0 lead.
Matthew Carlsen started a five run rally in the fourth with an RBI double to left, followed by a
Zach Thompson two-run home run over the left field wall.
Isaac Call capped it off with a two-run bomb of his own to tie the game at five.
The Bethel bats stayed hot in the fifth plating seven runs, including a three-run homer off the bat of
John Solfest to give the Royals a commanding 12-5 lead.
The Royals added on in the following inning on an RBI groundout to short by
Chris Lavin to make it a 13-6 ballgame.
Nick Carlson worked three innings out of the Royals bullpen allowing no earned runs, two hits and striking out two. Carlson earned the win, his first of the season.
Game two Bethel 5, UW-Stout 11:
The Blue Devils grabbed another early lead plating runs in each of the first five innings for a 10-1 lead.
Matthew Carlsen brought home the Royals first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to straight away left field cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Ryan Parker turned in a scoreless outing out of the pen, tossing 1.1 innings allowing one hit, one walk and no earned runs.
The Royals plated a pair in the sixth,
Noah Wenberg legged out a grounder to short for an RBI single,
Zach Thompson plated another on a sac-fly to left.
Kaden Hackman led off the seventh with a single up the middle, scoring on a
Noah Wenberg hit by pitch.
Zach Thompson brought home the Royals fourth run on a bases loaded hit by pitch.
Up next:
The Royals now turn their attention to the MIAC playoffs Thursday at CHS Field. The Royals are seeking their fourth MIAC playoff championship and first since 2022.
