MANKATO, Minn. - Timely hitting and a strong performance by the bullpen propelled Bethany baseball to a 12-6 win over Bethel on Monday at ISG Field. The Vikings improve to 13-4 overall and have won eight of their last 10 games. 

Bethany drew first blood with solo runs in each of the first three innings. Jayden Knuston led off the first with a walk, stole second, and scored on a sharp hit by Xander Meissner. Henry Akio Itani led off the second with a double and scored on a sac fly by Josh Miller. And in the third frame, Yunior Pena Torres led off with a double and scored on a groundout by Max Athmann for a 3-0 lead after three. 

Bethel tallied its first run in the fourth after a two-out walk, failed pickoff attempt, and an RBI single. The Vikings regained a three-run lead in the bottom half as Itani led off with a single, moved to third on an error, and scored on a groundout by Miller. 

The Royals got within one run in the fifth, scoring twice after a single, two walks, sac fly, and RBI groundout, but the home squad responded in a big way with five runs in the bottom half. An error, single, and walk loaded the bases for Max Athmann, who then hit a two-run single. After a sac bunt, walk, and a strikeout, Miller hit a two-run single. Kyle Carlberg plated the fifth run of the inning with a bases loaded walk for a 9-3 lead. 

Bethel got within three runs in the sixth with a three-run homer, but the Vikings bullpen shut it down the rest of the way. Miller scored on a passed ball in the seventh and two more insurance runs were scored in the eighth as Itani hit a two-run blast. 

Nine different pitchers saw time on the mound for the Vikings. Easton Pratt, Jaden Case, Caeden Willaert, Mitchell Cox, Riston Wojcik, Tyson Reger, and Seam Gamble each tossed scoreless innings with Wojcik earning the win. He pitched two scoreless innings, allowing three hits with one strikeout. 

Itani led at the dish, batting 3-for-4 with four runs, a walk, double, home run, and two RBI. 

Bethany returns to UMAC play Friday and Saturday at UW-Superior for a three-game series. 
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