Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's recorded its second consecutive MIAC split against Bethel in its home opener on Tuesday, April 8, in Collegeville.

SJU (10-3, 2-2 MIAC) committed three errors and surrendered five unearned runs in a 7-1 loss to the Royals in game one, but bounced back with 12 hits in a 6-3 victory to earn the split.

Bethel (10-5, 3-1 MIAC) took advantage of a leadoff double and an SJU error to posted two runs, one unearned, in the first inning of game one. The Royals added to their lead with a single run in the second before SJU answered with a run of its own, on an RBI double from senior catcher and closer Justin Thompson (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska), in the bottom half.

BU broke the game open with four unearned runs in the top half of the seventh and final inning to end the scoring at 7-1.

Sophomore Patrick Strey (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) recorded the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits in six innings of work. He struck out four to two walks and retired nine straight Royals at one point during his stint. Junior Jack Hamilton (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins) allowed the four unearned runs on four hits in the seventh.

Five different Johnnies collected a hit against BU's Matt Herringshaw, who went the distance. Nine of the 21 SJU outs recorded were on the first or second pitch of the at-bat.

SJU started quickly with a run in the first inning of game two. Junior outfielder Aaron Pfaff (New Ulm, Minn./Cathedral) led-off with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out, RBI single from senior outfielder Dylan Graves (Mora, Minn.).

Junior second baseman Brett Becker (North Oaks, Minn./Mounds View) made it 2-0 with a two-out, bases-loaded single in the fourth.

The Royals cut their deficit in half with an unearned run in the seventh, but SJU answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Pfaff started the scoring surge with a bunt single to the pitcher, but Joe Zorn's throw to first missed the mark and Pfaff advanced to third. Sophomore shortstop Logan Hershey (Maple Grove, Minn.) followed with a walk to force a Bethel pitching change, but senior first baseman Josh Groth (Fridley, Minn.) laced a 0-2 single through the right side to plate Pfaff. Graves plunked a perfect bunt between the third baseman and pitcher for a hit, and the third baseman threw the ball away to bring in Hershey. A wild pitch brought in Groth and a double-play ball off the bat of sophomore catch Gabe MacDonald (Minneapolis, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's) scored Graves for the fourth run of the inning.

Bethel made things interesting with two runs in the eighth inning, but left the bases loaded. The visitors loaded the base-paths once again in the ninth, but Thompson closed the door for good to seal the win and earn his fourth save of the young season.

Freshman Derek Graves (Mora, Minn.), Dylan's younger brother, improved to 3-0 on the season with a win in his first collegiate start. He earned his first two pitching victories as a reliever in Fort Myers, Fla., in early March. Graves allowed the unearned run on only three hits, with three strikeouts and four walks in seven innings.

Senior third baseman Luke Larson (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) led the SJU bats with a 3-for-4 performance in game two, while Dylan Graves, Pfaff and junior Geno Larkin (Eden Prairie, Minn.) added two hits apiece.

The Johnnies travel to face Augsburg for a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, April 12, at Parade Stadium in Minneapolis.

Notes: SJU entered Tuesday's doubleheader with its leadoff batters, to start an inning, reaching base successfully 50.6 percent (41-for-81) of the time in 11 games this season…the Johnnies' leadoff batter reached base only four times in 15 opportunities against the Royals Tuesday afternoon…the Johnnies took advantage of runners on base (.370 to just .229 for BU) and runners in scoring position (.500 to .240 for BU)…SJU entered the day as the MIAC's leader in fielding percentage at .974, but committed six errors on the day…Dylan Graves and Pfaff both travel to Minneapolis Saturday with 97 career hits.