LA CROSSE, Wis. - Game One of the NCAA DIII Regional Round hosted by UW-La Crosse saw the Bethany Lutheran Vikings (25-10 overall) take on the No. 13 nationally ranked host-Eagles (32-9). Despite a commendable pitching and defensive effort by the Vikings the majority of the day, the Bethany bats were unable to get timely hits in the 10-0 defeat.
 
Bethany ace Gavin Jacobsen struggled with his command early, allowing one walk, two hit batsmen and a homer in the first inning. He limited the damage to just the two-run shot to right center, however, to keep it 2-0 after one. 
 
The Vikings threatened in the second frame with two base runners following a flare single to center by Brad Bickmann and a walk drawn by Hunter Pearce, but were unable to push anything across in what would become a recurring theme for the offense. 
 
The Eagles added a run in the bottom of the inning via two stolen bases and an error to take a 3-0 lead. 
 
Following a quick top of the third, La Crosse promptly loaded the bases by playing small ball and scored on an infield hit. With the bases still full and only one out, Jacobsen induced a much-needed ground ball to Bickmann who stepped on third for the force out and threw to first for the inning-ending double play. 
 
Both teams were hitless in the fourth frame to keep the score at 4-0. Pearce then led off the fifth with an opposite-field double, but was left stranded there. Jacobsen closed his outing with a shutdown fifth inning to amass a final line of four earned runs on five hits allowed and five strikeouts. 
 
Both teams were sent down in order in the sixth frame as Ty Vollmar came on in relief of Jacobsen. 
 
In the seventh inning, Bickmann hit a sharp, one-out single to center and later became the first Vikings' base runner to reach third following a throwing error on Vaughn Pouncy's ground ball. A strikeout ended the scoring threat, though, leaving two runners in scoring position. 
 
The Eagles broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh, striking for six runs on five hits, including a one-out, three-run homer that ended Vollmar's day. John Lutzi and R.J. Brothen came out of the bullpen to get the final five outs for the Bethany defense, as the Vikings' bats went out silently to close the game. 
 
Eagles' pitcher Isaiah Katz tossed seven shutout innings and struck out 12 to earn the win and improve to 7-0 on the season, while Jacobsen was handed just his third loss of the year. 
 
Pearce and Bickmann were the lone stars in the Vikings' lineup as they each collected hits and reached base twice against the tough UW-La Crosse pitching staff. Defensively, Bethany put together a strong collective showing, committing just one error in the game. 
 
The Vikings will play the loser of Buena Vista and Bethel University tomorrow at 11 a.m. in an elimination game.