ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern baseball team made the most of one on the warmest February days in Minnesota history, as the Eagles utilized their artificial turf surface on Reynolds Field to play one of the earliest games in the history of the state. UNW dropped the season-opener 12-1 to Bethel University in front of a capacity crowd.

The visiting Royals – who were picked as the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference preseason favorite – jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first inning and never looked back, taking the opener 12-1.

The Eagles' lone run came in the bottom the ninth when Bradley Spencer (Papillion, NE/Papillion South) came around to score on an error. Spencer reached base after being hit by a pitch and moved up 90 feet on Tucker Morrell (Elk River, Minn./Homeschool)'s walk before crossing home on the error.

Braxton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) paced UNW at the dish, as he posted a pair of hits, while John Hietpas (Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge) ripped a double. 

Senior Troy Nelson (Buena Park, Calif. /Buena Park) got the nod on the bump for the Eagles, while Jenney, Quinton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls), Erik Nyquist (Elk River, Minn./Pine Island) and Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) also saw action out of the pen.

The Eagles will now head south to Florida for their annual spring break trip. Fans can stay up-to-date with all of the action from the Sunshine State by visiting www.unweagles.com and following @unweagles on Twitter.