FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Bethel Royals continued their games in Florida Friday afternoon when they took on State University of New York-Plattsburgh, otherwise known as SUNY-Plattsburgh. After a close game one, where the Royals pulled out a 7-6 victory, the offense kicked in gear and trounced Plattsburgh 14-4.
The Royals got on the board first in game one thanks to an Erik Anderson double that scored Jay Slick. Mike Sedjo and Jesse Nickols helped to extend that lead in the bottom of the 4th, when Sedjo knocked in Slick with an RBI single up the middle. Nickols then cranked an RBI triple to extend the lead to 3-0. Plattsburgh would come back to score 2 runs in the top of the 5th, but the Royals answered right back with 3 runs of their own in the botttom part of the frame. Thanks to a David Freed RBI triple that scored Esteban Abbey and an RBI double from Slick that scored Travis Piepho, the Royals squad was once again had a significant 6-2 lead. Despite a 3-run top of the 6th by Plattsburgh, the Royals held onto the lead and went onto the 7-6 victory. Slick finished the game 3-3 at the dish with an RBI and stolen base. Six different Royals finished the game with one hit in the balanced offensive attack. Matt Johnson started on the bump for the Royals as he had another quality start going 5.1 innings allowing 4 earned runs. Chris Dent picked up the win as he closed out the final 1.2 innings while not allowing a run.
In game two, a 12 run 5th inning put the game out of reach for Plattsburgh as the Royals cruised to a 14-4 win. Piepho finished the game with a 3-5 hitting performance with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Anderson also had a fine game hitting wise as he finished 2-3 with a team high 4 RBI. Nickols was 1-4 with 3 RBI as well. David Freed recorded the win going 6 strong innings allowing only 3 earned runs.
Bethel will close out their games in Florida Saturday night at 7 p.m. when they take on Lakeland College.