ST. PAUL, Minn. – For the second time in program history, the Bethel Royals are baseball playoff champions of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).
The Royals bounced back from a three-run Gustie first inning to top Gustavus, 9-3, in the MIAC Baseball Playoff championship game at CHS Field in St. Paul on Saturday afternoon.
| 2022 MIAC BASEBALL PLAYOFFS |
NO. 1 BETHEL 9, NO. 3 GUSTAVUS 3 | BOX SCORE | PHOTOS |
Bethel leadoff man Matthew Carlsen drove in three runs in a 3-for-5 afternoon to pace the Royals' offensive attack in a 9-3 victory over Gustavus. First baseman Keenan Hodgkin brought the lumber as well, belting a two-run shot into the left-centerfield bullpen in the bottom of the seventh inning. Marcus Krupke earned the win on the mound for the Royals, allowing three runs on nine hits in seven innings of work, with four of the hits and all three runs coming in the first inning of the game. Gustavus received excellent offensive production from the top of the order, with Bryce Novak batting 2-for-4, Jack Hanson going 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Gavin Baker hitting 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk. Gustavus was able to load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth but Bethel reliever Blake Williams came up with a clutch strikeout to end the game.
Following the final game, Bethel was presented with the MIAC Baseball Playoff Championship plaque. The Royals also received the conference's automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament. Gustavus and the rest of the MIAC squads will await to see if their seasons might continue with an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The full NCAA Tournament field will be announced Monday at 11:00 a.m. on NCAA.com. The MIAC would like to thank the Hamline University staff and coaches along with the St. Paul Saints for their efforts to host the 2022 MIAC Baseball Playoffs at CHS Field.
All Playoff information including seedings, scores, and recaps can be found on the 2022 MIAC Baseball Playoffs. Fans can also follow the action on the MIAC Scoreboard, on the free MIAC mobile app, and on social media through the MIAC's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
2022 MIAC BASEBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Game 1: No. 1 Bethel 7, No. 4 Concordia 0 | Box Score | Recap |
Game 2: No. 3 Gustavus 17, No. 2 Saint John's 7 | Box Score | Recap |
Friday, May 13, 2022
Game 3: No. 2 Saint John's 6, No. 4 Concordia 3 | Box Score | Recap |
Game 4: No. 1 Bethel 7, No. 3 Gustavus 2 | Box Score | Recap |
Game 5: No. 3 Gustavus 11, No. 2 Saint John's 10 (10 innings) | Box Score | Recap |
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Game 6: No. 1 Bethel 9, No. 3 Gustavus 3 | Box Score |
