MANKATO, Minn. — The Hamline University baseball team (12-25) fell to Bethany Lutheran College (26-5) in a close 2-1 contest on Wednesday at ISG Field. The game extended into extra innings, with both teams scoring a run in the ninth before Bethany Lutheran secured the win in the tenth.
Ryan Burley got things started for the Pipers with a single to right field in the first inning, but the effort was short-lived as Alex Hokenson struck out looking and Burley was caught stealing to end the inning. The score remained 0-0 after the first.
In the ninth inning,
Maddex Van Slooten tripled to right center, and
Jacob Barmore brought him home with a single to shortstop, recording the Pipers' first run. The inning ended with the score tied at 1-1.
Bethany Lutheran responded in the bottom of the ninth with a pinch-runner, Xavier Palmer, who advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Max Athmann's RBI single, tying the game 1-1.
In the tenth inning, Hamline was unable to capitalize offensively. Vincent Curzie doubled to center field for Bethany Lutheran in the bottom of the inning. Jayden Kopp then singled down the left field line, allowing Curzie to score and secure a 2-1 victory for Bethany Lutheran.
Bentley Casey delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts and allowing just five hits.
Maddex Van Slooten contributed offensively with a triple, scoring one run and stealing a base.
Jacob Barmore added to the scoring with an RBI, while also recording a hit.
Ryan Burley was efficient at the plate, finishing with two hits in his appearance.
Bentley Casey delivered a dominant performance, pitching 7 innings without allowing an earned run and striking out six batters, while giving up five hits and two walks.
Ben McCrady followed Casey, contributing 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing one earned run on three hits, with one walk and one strikeout.
Carter Hoff closed the game with 2/3 inning, giving up two hits and one earned run, while striking out one.
