Written by Josh Garcia
BVU Athletics Communication Student Contributor

LA CROSSE, Wis. (May 19, 2023) - The Buena Vista University baseball team began the NCAA Regional Tournament run with a matchup against Bethel University on Friday afternoon. The Royals used a five-run first inning and never looked back en route to a 9-6 victory over the Beavers.

BVU fell behind early as Bethel used a pair of home runs in the first inning, including a three-run shot, to jump out to a 5-0 lead. Evan Taylor responded immediately for the Beavers in the bottom half of the inning by launching a two-run homerun to cut the deficit, but Bethel would add on again in the second with an RBI single. 

From there, both teams traded scoreless innings heading into sixth when Bethel again launched a big rally. This time the Royals utilized a trio of doubles to score three runs extending their lead to 9-2. The Beavers would not let this go unanswered as Taylor once again launched a two-run shot. After a pair of hits from Jordan Mathewson and Zack Beekmann, Logan Mueller came through with a sacrifice fly to bring the game within four runs. Caden Mathewson and Tegan Bock followed with a single and walk, respectively, to load the bases for Joel Garcia. Garcia represented the potential tying run, but ultimately struck out to end the threat.  

After a quiet seventh, they nearly added on again in the eighth, but an interference call prevented a run from scoring. The Beavers found themselves down to their last out in the ninth when Drew Taylor hit a solo homerun to keep their hopes alive. Evan Taylor followed with a walk to bring the tying run on deck, but Bethel would induce a groundout to end the game. 

Morgan Smith (9-2) was charged with the loss for the Beavers after allowing nine runs on 12 hits across seven innings. Logan Lape-Brinkman pitched two scoreless frames in relief.  

The Beavers lineup scored six runs on 10 hits. Evan and Drew Taylor had standout performances for the unit. Evan recorded game-highs of two homeruns and four RBI. Drew recorded a game-high three hits, including a homerun, while scoring three times. Jordan Mathewson and Zack Beekmann each recorded two hits in the contest.  

NEXT UP: Buena Vista will now face #4 seed Bethany Lutheran (25-10) in an elimination game on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.