MANKATO, Minn.—The Bethany Lutheran baseball team (9-10 overall, 5-3 UMAC) shut out Martin Luther (2-15, 2-5) by a score of 7-0 Friday afternoon at ISG Field. 
 
The Vikings put two runs on the board in the third inning on a pair of walks, each followed by RBI singles from junior Vaughn Pouncy (St. Paul, Minn.) and senior Brent Fowler (Berthoud, Colo.). Two more walks in the home half of the fourth helped BLC plate another run. 
 
A leadoff triple from freshman Malachi Santiago (Gilbert, Ariz.) and a single from classmate Aidan Russell (Gilbert, Ariz.) gave the Vikings a 4-0 lead heading into the seventh, when junior RJ Brothen (St. Paul, Minn.) came on in relief of starting pitcher, senior Nick Shubert (Mapleton, Minn.), who tossed a career-high six scoreless innings while allowing only one hit and striking out a career-best six en route to earning his first victory of the season. 
 
Brothen and freshman Carter Benz (Wabasso, Minn.) each threw a perfect frame with two strikeouts. 
 
Bethany tacked on three more runs in the eighth inning as it sent seven batters to the plate. 
 
Senior Alex Kreiling (Sartell, Minn.) threw a perfect ninth inning to close out the game. 
 
Russell went 2-3 with a pair of RBIs, runs, and stolen bases. 
 
Santiago reached base three times and stole a game-high four bases. The Vikings tied a school record with 12 stolen bases on the day.
 
Junior Ben Hopper (North Mankato, Minn.) went 2-5 with an RBI. 
 
BLC continues its homestand at 3 p.m. Friday as it welcomes the University of Northwestern for a three-game series.