Blue Devils take on Royals in Sunday match-up

Bethel University 7, UW-Stout 5 | Bethel University 12, UW-Stout 3

ST. PAUL, Minn (May 6, 2018) - Bethel University swept a pair of non-conference games from UW-Stout Sunday at Hargis Park, taking the doubleheader, 7-5, 12-3.

In the opener, the Blue Devils (8-23) got off to a good start, getting their first two batters on base when Jordan Wilson drew a lead-off walk and Jack Hemsath sliced a single into left field. But the Blue Devils stranded both runners.

The Royals (29-9) used a three-run first inning to take the lead as Stout assisted with two errors, including allowing the lead-off hitter on, who then came home on John Leach's triple. Bethel tagged on two more runs for a 3-0 lead.

Stout got on the board in the top of the second when Reid Akerman reached on a one-out single, then following a strikeout, Akerman stole second and came on home on Kyle Hamilton's double.

Bethel expanded their lead to 6-1 with three more runs in the bottom of the second.

Stout pulled to within one run after a four-run fourth inning. Jared Jarvensivu led off the inning with a walk, then advanced to third on Akerman's single to right field. Following an out, Hamilton smacked his second RBI double of the day. Wilson cracked a double to drive in both Jarvensivu and Hamliton, then came home on Jack Hemsath's single up the middle and Stout trailed 6-5.

Bethel threatened in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases before leaving three players on base. Bethel scored a run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Bo Lovdahl. Stout left a runner on third base in the sixth.

Wilson was 2-for-3 with two RBI, as was Hamilton. Akerman was 2-for-3 and scored two runs. The Royals out-hit Stout 12-8 and left 11 runners on base. Leach led all hitters, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Sam Horner was 1-for-2, but scored three runs. Austin Ledin, Lovdahl, Brandon Meyer and Jack Schubert all collected two hits each.

In game two, the Blue Devils opened the scoring with a two-run second on Hamilton's two-run double, but the Royals answered back when they scored six runs in the second and three in the third.
 
The Blue Devils had four hits and committed four errors. The Royals pounded out 13 hits, with four batters having two or more hits.

Stout is scheduled to host UW-La Crosse, Tuesday, May 8 at 1 p.m. in the final home contest of the season. The Blue Devils will close the season by traveling to UW-Platteville, Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12.