MAPLE GROVE, Minn. - Bethany baseball extended its winning streak to 10 games Saturday, completing the series sweep over North Central. The Vikings (24-5, 12-3 UMAC) won 16-7 in game two and 14-2 in game three.Â
Bethany 16, North Central 7
The Vikings wasted no time with three runs in the opening frame. Jayden Knutson doubled to lead off the game and later scored on an error. Vincent Curzie then doubled in two runs.Â
North Central got a pair of runs back in the second with a two-run single and took a 5-3 lead in the third after run-scoring wild pitch followed by another two-run single. After a scoreless fourth, the Vikings went back on top for good with five runs in the fifth. Curzie hit a sac fly, Pena scored on an error, Josh Miller and Knutson both hit RBI singles, and Miller scored on an error for an 8-5 advantage.Â
In the seventh, Miller hit his first triple of the season to score pinch runner Xavier Palmer. The Vikings tacked on four runs in the eighth to put the game away. Max Athmann hit a two-run double and Curzie hit a two-run homer - his third of the season.Â
The Rams scored single runs in the eighth and ninth. Bethany added its final three runs in the ninth. Xander Meissner hit an RBI double. Pena ensued with an RBI triple and scored on an error.Â
Drew Hedtke started and went three innings in a no decision. He allowed five runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Tyson Reger won his first game after five innings of relief. He allowed one run on just one hit with seven strikeouts. Jaden Case finished the ninth with no hits and a strikeout.Â
Miller had a career-game at the plate, batting 5-for-5 with a run, two RBI, three doubles, and a triple. His three doubles ties a program single game record held by nine players.Â
Bethany 14, North Central 2
The Rams scored their only two runs of the game in the first inning and held the lead until the third when the Vikings tied the score. Meissner hit his team-leading eighth home run of the season with Knutson on base.Â
In the fifth, Knutson hit his team-leading fourth triple of the season and scored on a sac fly by Athmann for a 3-2 lead. The game was a pitchers' duel through seven frames until the Vikings blew the game open in the eighth with six runs. Gary Swann hit an RBI double, Parker Anderson hit a two-run single, Knutson drove in a run with a base hit, Athmann plated a run with another sac fly, and Miller scored on a wild pitch to go up 9-2.Â
The Vikings plated five more runs in the ninth. Anthony Kuznia was beaned with the bases loaded, Miller followed with an RBI single, Kyle Carlberg scored on a wild pitch, and Meissner hit a two-run single.Â
Adryen Tietz improved to 4-0 on the mound after seven innings. He allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Riston Wojcik and Sean Gamble each pitched hitless innings in relief. Gamble struck out the side to end the game.Â
Knutson led at the plate, batting 4-for-6 with two runs, an RBI, and two triples. Knutson improved his season batting average from .402 to a UMAC-best .422 in the series.Â
Bethany is scheduled to host Macalester (23-12, 12-4 MIAC) at 6 p.m. Monday, weather pending.Â
Â