SAINT PAUL, MINN.--Bethel secured a pair of victories over the Hamline University baseball team at CHS Field on Monday, winning 6-3 and 8-2.

The Pipers fall to 6-27, 1-13 MIAC, while the Royals improve to 24-6, 13-1 MIAC.

Bethel 6, Hamline 3 (Game One)

In the first game, Bethel scored six runs over the third, fifth, and sixth innings to clinch a 6-3 win. Hamline opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning after a triple by Kyle Vanek, who later scored on a throwing error, giving the Pipers a 1-0 lead. Bethel responded in the third inning with a two-run double by Zach Thompson, taking the lead at 2-1. Hamline quickly tied the game when Alexander Hokenson hit an RBI single, leveling the score at 2-2 after the third inning.

The Royals regained the lead in the fifth as Chris Lavin scored on a double by Hayden Sperbeck, followed by a sacrifice groundout for a 4-2 advantage. Hamline cut the deficit to one in the sixth with a sacrifice fly from Jacob Barmore, making it 4-3. However, Bethel extended their lead in the sixth with a two-run homer by Oran Hinkle, finalizing the score at 6-3. 

For Hamline, Hokenson stood out with two hits, including a double, and one RBI. Vanek contributed significantly with a triple, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch, resulting in a run scored. Finn Melchior also made an impact, pitching 4 0/3 innings with two strikeouts while scoring a run and drawing a walk. Ryan Burley notched an RBI and stole a base despite not recording a hit.

Bethel 8, Hamline 2 (Game Two)

In the second game, Bethel pulled away with a five-run surge across the sixth and seventh innings for an 8-2 victory. The Royals scored first in the opening inning with Oran Hinkle crossing the plate following a sacrifice fly from Zach Thompson. Hamline responded in the bottom of the second as Ethan Smith hit a sacrifice fly, bringing Finn Melchior home and leveling the score at 1-1. 

Melchior put Hamline ahead in the fourth with a solo home run, making it 2-1. Bethel responded in the sixth with two runs from Matt Friesen's single, taking a 3-2 lead. The Royals extended their lead in the seventh with three more runs, including a wild pitch and a triple from Thompson, making it 6-2. Bethel added two more runs in the eighth with a sacrifice fly by Sperbeck and an RBI single by Xavier Lortie, concluding the game at 8-2.

Melchior again was a standout for Hamline, contributing two runs, two hits, including a home run, and one RBI. Smith led defensively with six assists while driving in a run. Pitcher Teagan Yotter delivered a strong performance, pitching five innings with four strikeouts and allowing just one earned run.

Bethel was led by Lortie with three hits and an RBI. Thompson also contributed with two RBIs and a triple, alongside a solid defensive effort. Friesen added two hits and two RBIs. Isaac Call showcased patience at the plate with three walks and a double. On the mound, Jordan Axberg secured the win with 4 1/3 innings pitched, allowing no runs.

The Pipers will host St. Scholastica (DH) at CHS Field on Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m.