MANKATO, Minn. - Bethany baseball avoided a series sweep Sunday with a 7-2 win over UM-Morris at ISG Field, improving to 12-4 overall and 4-2 in the UMAC.
Morris gained a 1-0 lead in the first after a pair of doubles. The Vikings knotted the game at one with a run in the second. Max Athmann led off with a single and then Kyle Carlberg hit a two-out double.
Bethany starter Adryen Tietz and Morris starter Travis Godfrey tossed a pitchers' duel for the next four innings. Tietz sat down eight batters in a row and Godfrey sat down 13 consecutive before the Vikings took a 2-1 lead in the eighth. Athmann led off with a single and scored three batters later on a base hit by Carlberg.
The Cougars tied the game in the eighth, chasing Tietz off the mound, but Sean Gamble got out of the jam. Bethany blew the game open in the bottom half with five runs on two hits, three walks, and a hit by pitch. Athmann hit the go-ahead RBI, Anthony Kuznia drew a bases loaded walk, and Carlberg got the knock out hit with a three-run double.
Tietz went 7.1 quality innings in a no decision. He allowed one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts. Gamble earned the win in relief, improving to 1-0. He struck out five of the seven batters faced.
Athmann led at the plate, batting 3-for-4 with three runs and an RBI.
Bethany continues its home stand Monday afternoon against Bethel University.
