MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran baseball team exploded for 17 hits on Wednesday afternoon as they defeated Martin Luther 20-0. With the win the Vikings improve to 8-8 on the year and 4-3 in the UMAC, while the Knights fall to 3-9 overall and 0-4 in the conference.

After a two-run first inning for Bethany and scoreless second, the Viking offense put up seven runs in the third. Bethany had just four hits in the inning but used a pair of walks, an error, and three wild pitches to take a 9-0 lead.

The Vikings would put up two more runs in the fourth as Izaak Stevens would hit a double and turn it into an inside the park trot after an error allowed him to round the bases. Henry Laue then hit his second ground rule double of the game and would come around to score on a double from Lucas Reiff who notched his first career hit in the at-bat.

Bethany would add nine more runs in the final two innings as Reed Brown clubbed a three-run home run in the seventh and Brady Taylor and JT Garcia each got their first collegiate hit in the inning.  

Eli Fest got his second action on the mound of the season and went five innings for the win, striking out seven and allowing just four hits. Jadrien Keavy came on for the final two innings and allowed just one hit.