Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

MANKATO, Minn. – Saint John's baseball dropped a pair of one-run games, 3-2 and 6-5, at Bethany Lutheran on Tuesday, March 24.

SJU (9-6, 0-0 MIAC) batted .196 (10-51) on the day, including a 3-for-17 (.176) showing with runners in scoring position. All 10 hits were singles and the Johnnies recorded 12 strikeouts at the plate, while the pitching staff issued 10 free passes (seven walks and three hit batsmen) in 12.2 innings. Five of the Vikings' nine runs scored reached base via walk or hit-by-pitch, including four in game two alone. Bethany Lutheran's other two runs in the nightcap reached base via error.

BLC (11-2, 3-0 UMAC) erased a 2-1 deficit with a two-out, pinch-hit double in the bottom of the sixth inning. SJU left the bases loaded with one out in the top of the seventh. 

The visitors batted 3-for-17 (.176) with runners on base, including 2-for-12 (.167) with runners in scoring position, and left 10 men on base in the doubleheader's first game. 

The Johnnies led by four runs twice, 4-0 and 5-1, in game two but lost 6-5 on a walk-off error with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Four of SJU's six losses so far this spring have been decided by one run.

Game 1 – Bethany Lutheran 3, Saint John's 2
SJU coaxed three walks but left the bases loaded in the top of the first inning and BLC capitalized on a leadoff double for a 1-0 lead after one complete.

The Johnnies finally broke through in the top of the fifth inning after junior Alex Matchey (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) tripped up the Vikings when his single through the right side was bobbled by the right fielder to give SJU the lead with two unearned runs. 

Freshman southpaw Dylan Bloom (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) took the loss in his second collegiate start and appearance, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings.

Senior Jack Dobesh (Edina, Minn.) surrendered the go-ahead double and recorded the sixth inning's final out in relief.

Game 2 – Bethany Lutheran 6, Saint John's 5
SJU scored four runs with two outs in the top of the second inning. The Johnnies took advantage of a single and three walks, including a base-loaded base-on-balls with junior center fielder Riley Schwellenbach (Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge) at the plate for the first run. Freshman shortstop Will Koeppen (Minnetonka, Minn.) followed with a rare three-run single in the next at-bat.

BLC answered with a single run in the bottom half of the second inning but SJU responded with one of their own in the top of the third. Junior third baseman Justin Brooks (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) singled to start the frame and scored when junior catcher Mason McCurdy (Lake Elmo, Minn./Stillwater Area) singled to left field and the ball got past the Viking outfielder.

The Vikings made the score 5-4 with three runs without a hit in the fourth inning and tied the game with an unearned run in the fifth.

Junior Carter Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits in 3.1 innings for the no-decision. Sophomore Ben Rudser (Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge) gave up an unearned run on two hits in 1.2 innings, while classmate Dylan Marciulionis (Esko, Minn.) was tagged with the loss following the game-winning, unearned run in 1.2 hitless innings.

SJU returns home to host Saint Mary's (11-6, 0-0 MIAC) for the home and MIAC opener at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at Haugen Field at Becker Park in Collegeville.