Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Northwestern College baseball team won its ninth straight game on Tuesday, taking down local nonconference rival Bethel University 6-4 at Hargis Park on the Royals' campus. The Eagles came from behind, scoring six unanswered runs in the victory.

Bethel came out hot, scoring all four of their runs in the first inning. The Royals roughed up starter Zach Markwith (Honolulu, Hawaii/St. Louis) with four hits, including two doubles. NWC started its comeback right away in the top of the second, as Monte Abeler (Upsala, Minn./Upsala) hit a no-doubter two-run home run over the left field fence to cut Bethel's lead in half. The Eagles then strung together two singles and a walk, loading the bases for Cody Kielsa (Howard Lake, Minn./Rogers), who hit an RBI single to score Ethan Nichols (Brainerd, Minn/Brainerd).

Trailing 4-3, Northwestern tied the game with a run in the fourth as Abeler started the inning with a leadoff double down the left field line. The senior advanced to third on a Nichols groundout before scoring on a Mark Meredith (Robbinsdale, Minn./Armstrong) sacrifice fly. The Eagles then claimed the lead in the sixth as another double led off the inning, this time off of the bat from Taylor Kauweloa (Kailua, Hawaii/Damien Memorial). Kauweloa scored three batters later on a Nichols RBI single.

Kauweloa crossed home plate again in the eighth inning after hitting a one-out single earlier in the frame. After advancing to third base on an Abeler fielder's choice, Kauweloa scored on a Royals defensive error to account for the 6-4 final score.

Four different Eagles had multiple hits in the game, including Abeler, whose line finished 2-4 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Nichols, who hit right behind Abeler, also had a two-hit day with an RBI.

While Northwestern was busy at the plate, Eagles Head Coach Dave Hieb was frequently visiting the mound as the Purple and Gold took a pitcher-by-committee approach to Tuesday's game. Six different pitchers took to the hill for NWC, with Josh Balzer (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) earning the win after three innings of work that allowed just one hit. Meredith worked the eighth and ninth frames to pick up the save.

Now 17-9 overall, Northwestern will ride its win streak into Mankato, Minn. on Friday as the Eagles get set to take on Bethany Lutheran College in a three-game UMAC series. The Vikings won't be an easy foe for NWC, as Bethany Lutheran has finished as the conference's runner up in each of the last two years. Friday's first game of the series, which is scheduled for nine innings, will begin at 3 p.m.