DULUTH, Minn. – Day two of the NCAA Regional had the Vikings paired up with the University of Dubuque (24-16). The Spartans lost their opening round game yesterday to North Central (Ill.) by a score of 8-7. The Spartans grabbed an early lead in the game and stayed out in front for most of it, defeating the Vikings 8-3.
Dubuque started early with one run in the first and second inning. In the third, Mylo Hommes doubled to right center which scored Walker Linde from second for the Vikings first run of the game. With bases loaded and one out, Ben Boran grounded out to short, but Grant Becher scored from third on the play. The third inning ended with the score tied at 2-2.
The Spartans then scored five unanswered runs over the fourth and fifth inning to take a 7-2 lead. It wasn't until the seventh inning that the Vikings would get back on the board. With Diego Martiarena on first, Mylo Hommes delivered another RBI double to the gap in right center. The run for the Vikings broke a three-inning drought, making the score 7-3 in favor of Dubuque.
Now trailing by five, the Vikings had one last opportunity in the ninth, but couldn't rally. They finished with 11 hits led by Mylo Hommes who went 3-5 with two RBIs. Grant Becher was 2-5 with one run.
The 2018 season was an incredible run for the Bethany Vikings as they captured the school's first ever UMAC regular season championship. The Vikings shared the regular season crown with the Saints of St. Scholastica, but won the tournament title by defeating the Saints in back-to-back games. With the tournament title in hand, the Vikings played in their first ever NCAA Regional.
The Vikings' season was filled with honors and awards for many of their individual players. BLC garnered eight All-UMAC First Team honors, two Honorable Mention honors, and boasted the Pitcher of the Year in Cody Leitner, Rookie of the Year in Ross Beumer, and Coach of the Year in Ryan Kragh. The Vikings finished the season with an overall record of 23-12 and a UMAC record of 14-2.
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MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Dan DeWitt at 507-344-7856 or email ddewitt@blc.edu
