Mankato, MN - The Martin Luther College baseball team opened up conference play with an away series at Bethany this weekend. The Knights put up a good effort in the three-game series, but the Vikings came out victorious in all of them, beating MLC 22-5, 7-1, and 12-2.

Game 1 Bethany 22, MLC 5

Bethany broke off the game with a seven-run bottom of the first inning including a couple of RBI doubles that set it in motion. MLC would get a run off of Trent Ash in the fourth and fifth innings with Samuel Rodriguez hitting an RBI double, while John Westendorf hit an RBI single.

However, the Vikings stayed hot at the plate with 22 runs on 16 hits. Xander Meissner (5) and Aidan Russell (4) led Bethany in RBI. Rodriguez paced MLC in RBI (2), while Carter Seltz had the most hits (2).

Game 2 Bethany 7, MLC 1

On Saturday, MLC stayed in game two of the series for a good portion of it as the Knights were down just 3-0 through four innings. However, a Seth Jones RBI triple in the bottom of the fifth gave the edge to Bethany making it 6-0.

MLC would get a run on an Alex Ritter RBI single in the ninth, but Bethany would seal the deal afterwards.

The Knights did record 12 hits, but left 10 runners on base, but Ritter, Rodriguez, Carlos Walta, and Jordan Ramirez finished with two hits.

Connor Heckendorf got the start for MLC and went six innings, giving up six runs (2 earned) with four K's.

Game 3 Bethany 12, MLC 2

Aidan Berg was on the mound for game three of the series and held the Vikings to just two runs through three frames. Bethany would get to Berg in the bottom of the fourth though, extending their lead to 10-0 after posting eight runs in the inning. 

Russell led Bethany with three RBI as the Vikings recorded 14 hits.

Ritter and Parker Winghart each scored a run, while Jackson Anderson stole a base.

MLC (5-9) will have another road series in conference play next weekend when they go to UW-Superior on Friday, March 28. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.