MANKATO, Minn. - Bethany baseball swept Saint John's in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday at ISG Field. The Vikings, now 11-2 overall, won the first game 3-2 and then walked off the second game 6-5. 

Bethany 3, Saint John's 2

Bethany grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first after Jayden Knutson led off with a double down the left field line, advanced on a sac bunt by Kyle Carlberg, and scored on a groundout by Xander Meissner. 

After getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the first, Sean Gamble settled in and tossed four shutout innings while allowing just one hit with five strikeouts. The Johnnies gained a 2-1 advantage in the fifth after a single and an error scored a pair. 

The Vikings rallied in the sixth to regain the lead for good. Vincent Curzie singled and was pinch ran for by Xavier Palmer, who stole second. Seth Jones then walked, chasing the Johnnie starter off the mound. Connor Brigger entered as a pinch hitter and came through with what proved to be the game-winning hit - a two-run double down the left field line. 

Quentin Holmes, who entered the game in the sixth, allowed a couple singles paired with an error to load the bases in the seventh, but got the final out with a swinging strikeout to secure the victory. 

Knutson paced the offense, batting 3-for-3 with a run. Holmes (1-0) did not allow a run in two innings of relief. He gave up three hits with two strikeouts. 

Bethany 6, Saint John's 5

The Johnnies had the upper hand early, scoring four times in the second on just two hits and three walks. Jones plated Curzie in the second with an infield single for the Vikings' first run, but the Johnnies regained a four-run lead with another run in the third thanks to an error. 

Bethany chipped away at their deficit in the fourth, scoring three runs without a hit. The Vikings were hit by a pitch twice, walked twice, and took advantage of an error. Joshua Miller and Knutson each had bases loaded walks and Brigger knocked in a run on a fielder's choice. 

The Vikings then tied the game in the fifth as Curzie reached on an error and beat the throw home on a single to left by Max Athmann. 

In the bottom of the seventh, Curzie and Yunior Pena Torres both walked. Palmer pinch ran for Curzie and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Athmann then hit a slow grounder which was booted by the second baseman, allowing Palmer to score the walkoff run. 

Pena Torres led at the plate, batting 2-for-3 with a walk. Mitchell Cox pitched three quality innings of scoreless relief, giving up just one hit with two strikeouts. Riston Wojcik (1-0) earned the win, pitching the final 1.2 innings. He did not allow a hit and struck out one. 

Bethany continues its home stand Saturday and Sunday for a three-game UMAC series against UM-Morris. 
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