ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern baseball team capitalized on the above average February temperatures and its artificial turf complex to play its earliest-ever outdoor game Tuesday afternoon, as the Eagles welcomed Snelling Avenue foe Bethel University to Reynolds Field for Opening Day. After a quick start, UNW wasn't able to generate any more offense at the plate, falling 25-2.

Things couldn't have started better for the home team, as UNW's middle infield turned a double play with two runners on in the top of the first to get out of trouble early. In the bottom of the frame, Tyler Osborn (Clive, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) delivered a one-out single to bring Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) to the plate with a runner on. The senior slugger picked up right where he left off a year ago, belting a two-run shot over the centerfield fence to give the Eagles an early 2-0 lead.

The Royals then got on the board in the second, scoring seven unearned runs with two outs to take the lead. BU tacked on five more in the third to open a 12-2 lead and never looked back.

Osborn finished with two of UNW's four hits, as the centerfielder went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Making his collegiate debut, Carter Michaelson (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul) contributed a base hit and drew a walk for UNW.

Transfer Nick Pilz (Stacy, Minn./North Branch) got the nod on the bump, going 2.0 innings for the Eagles before giving way to the bullpen. Corban Halbur (Richfield, Minn./Richfield), Jake Franzen, Carter Michaelson (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul), Aaron Krahn (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) and Quinton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) all saw action in the contest.

UNW will return to action next Monday when they take on Macalester in a doubleheader at U.S. Bank Stadium. Game one will get underway at 9:45 p.m. Fans can find more information at www.unweagles.com.