TUCSON, AZ – The Bethany Lutheran baseball team started their 2019 campaign down in Arizona against Carthage College (WI). The Red Men were nearing the end of their spring trip, holding a 4-4 record while the Vikings were just getting started.
 
It was a tough start for Logan Nissen as he lasted two-thirds of an inning, giving up six hits and 11 runs in the first. Nick Caldeen started his senior season with a bang as he homered in his first at-bat to give the Vikings two runs. The Vikings trailed 27-7 in the bottom of the fifth and made a late push to close the gap, but couldn't overcome the deficit, losing their opener 27-14.
 
Freshman Brady Schuster recorded three of the Vikings 12 hits in the game. One of those hits was a triple and he also had two RBIs. Caldeen went 2-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. In addition to his home run, Caldeen also doubled. Senior Tim Pasiuk was 1-4 with a double and three RBIs and Grant Becher recorded two RBIs.
 
Logan Nissen was charged with the loss in his first appearance of the season. The Vikings' pitching staff couldn't contain Carthage with Colton Blain, Beau Babcock, and Nick Shubert each getting a turn on the mound.
 
Carthage kept their momentum in game two, building a big lead early. Caldeen drove in one of the Vikings two runs with an RBI single. Sophomore Tommy Gannon drilled a solo home run in the fifth. The Vikings spread out six hits with no player tallying more than one.
 
Adam Fjerstad pitched three innings, giving up 13 hits and 14 runs. Matt Jensen, Alex Kreiling, and Matthew Johnson each came in for relief as well.
 
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Up Next: The Vikings take the field again on Monday, March 11th with a double-header against Dubuque beginning at 4 PM MST.

MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Dan DeWitt at 507-344-7856 or email ddewitt@blc.edu