MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The UW-River Falls baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Bethel University - the reigning MIAC Champions, Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Falcons, now 5-3 overall, saw their four-game win streak come to an end after falling in game two of the doubleheader, winning game one 3-2.
UWRF returns to action with another non-conference game on Wednesday, March 26 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, then returns home to host UW-Stevens Point this weekend, March 29-30 for a four-game series against the Pointers at First National Bank of River Falls Field.
UW-River Falls 3, Bethel 2
In game one of the doubleheader, the Falcons
had a strong start with all three of their runs scored in the second and third before a late push by the Royals, but the UWRF defense shut the door in the seventh to hold on for the win.
UWRF scored two runs in the second off three hits.
Patrick Lundgren led off with a base on balls and came around to scored after a
JV Castillo double and an RBI groundout from
Max Stocco.
Kale Twombly followed with a single to score Castillo, putting the Falcons up 2-0 early.
In the third, UWRF extended its lead to 3-0, placing two runners on base with a
Tanner Hraby walk and an
Kole Paulsen single to put Hraby in scoring position. Lundgren then singled up the middle to score Hraby for the eventual game-winning run.
Kaleb Zabielski started on the mound for the Falcons and held the Royals scoreless through five innings before a solo homer in the sixth trimming the Falcon lead to 3-1. In the next inning, Bethel threatened with back-to-back walks, and
EJ Kuster came in to pitch in relief of Zabielski. After a sacrifice bunt put a pair of Royals in scoring position, a Falcon error allowed BU to come within one run at 3-2, but Kuster and the Falcons secured fly outs for the final two outs and the win.
UWRF finished with eight hits compared to Bethel's three, while Zabielski's record improved to 3-0 and Kuster collected his first save.
Kale Twombly led the Falcons at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance, followed by two hits from
JV Castillo.
Bethel 6, UW-River Falls 0
The Royals kept the Falcon bats quiet in game two, salvaging the split of the doubleheader.
Bethel held UWRF scoreless in seven innings while holding the Falcons to just four hits, with pitchers Mark Anderson and Cavan Banks combining for the shutout.
After three scoreless innings, the Royals gained a 5-0 lead with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, and scored another late for good measure.
Cade Bruett started on the bump for UWRF and lasted three innings, allowing the eventual game-winning run in the fourth.
JV Castillo,
Tanner Hraby,
Kole Paulsen, and
Andrew Athmann recorded UWRF base hits.
