ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Battling cold conditions and returning from a week-long layoff, the Saint Mary's baseball team (14-9, 2-2 MIAC) couldn't regain its rhythm Tuesday afternoon, dropping a conference doubleheader to Bethel (16-5, 6-0 MIAC).
GAME ONE
BU 2, SMU 0
At Hargis Park, the Cardinals had opportunities but were unable to deliver the timely hit, stranding nine runners despite drawing seven walks.
Reese Berg led the offense with a hit in three at-bats, but Saint Mary's struggled to generate momentum in key moments. The game remained scoreless until the fifth inning, when Bethel's Drew Girtz broke through with a two-run double to right field which accounted for the only runs of the contest.
The Cardinals threatened late, including a bases-loaded situation in the final inning after a Josh Costello single and a walk by Stephen Golden, but the Royals defense held strong to preserve the shutout. Saint Mary's also put pressure on in the second inning with back-to-back walks from Ryan Csida and Costello, though the rally was cut short by a strikeout.
The loss marked the Cardinals' first setback in MIAC play.
GAME TWO
BU 11, SMU 5
In the nightcap, Saint Mary's showed flashes offensively, launching two home runs, but Bethel's power at the plate and clean defensive play proved to be the difference in an 11-5 decision.
Kasey Carlson got the start, working just over four innings while allowing five earned runs on seven hits. Eric Charest provided relief with two innings of work, striking out two, while Eli Schneider and Jack Schafer each made their season debuts out of the bullpen.
Offensively, Berg paced the Cardinals again with a home run and two RBIs. Drew Rothenberger collected three hits and drove in a run, while Csida added a solo home run as part of a two-hit performance. Dom Najacht anchored the defense with five assists at second base.
The Royals seized control in the third inning, taking advantage of two Saint Mary's errors to plate four runs and build an early cushion. Despite early and late sparks, including solo home runs from Berg in the first and Csida in the eighth, the Cardinals were unable to fully recover.
Saint Mary's mounted a push in the seventh, as Daniel Sherman and Gavin Schulte helped set up a run-scoring groundout from Berg, and added a sacrifice fly from Rothenberger in the ninth. However, missed opportunities and defensive miscues ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Saint Mary's will look to bounce back quickly, returning home to host Hamline in a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, a rescheduled matchup from last weekend.
