COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – He's already got the single-game strikeout record so it was only fitting that senior Matthew Bohlke put his name in the record books for strikeouts in a single season. With an eight-K performance on the bump, Bohlke moved his season total to 87 surpassing a 34-year-old record of 85 Ks tossed by Jon Sorenson in 1987.

Pitching was just a small piece of the puzzle for the fifth-seeded Royals who defeated fourth-seeded Saint John's 16-8 in the opening round of the MIAC Playoffs. Improving to 23-16 on the year, BU solidified a spot in the double-elimination portion of the bracket where they take on top-seeded St. Thomas Thursday afternoon in Collegeville. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

Bohlke picked up three strikeouts to start the game, but it was SJU who broke through on the scoreboard first with a three-run second.

No panic from the Royals, who came in averaging just under five runs a game. Matthew Carlsen kicked off a 4-for-6 and four RBI day at the plate with a RBI double down the right field line. Moments later Nick Wibben cleared the bases loaded with a double to left. James Woelfel singled through the left side scoring Wibben to cap out the five-run third.

Bethel went on to score in the next four frames including three runs in the sixth and seventh.

Bohlke settled in picking up the record-breaking strikeout to close out the fifth. The Johnnies got ahold of him though in the sixth with two runs and then a three-run homer in the eighth forcing BU to go to the pen.

From that moment Peyton Gallagher, Blake Williams and Brett Carlson kept SJU off the board allowing one combined hit.

BU got insurance runs in the ninth on Carlsen's second RBI double of the day while Wibben closed out a six-RBI game with a single through the right side.  

Story contributed by Austin Lagesse, Bethel University Assistant Sports Information Director