MIAC Release

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Bethel University's Kelly Berg (So., South haven, Minn.) and Nea Harkness (Jr., Winthrop, Minn.) have been named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Softball Co-Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for their performances last week.

Berg had a big hand in helping Bethel clinch its first ever conference playoff berth last week as she hit six home runs and had 10 RBIs in the Royals 5-1 week. Against St. Olaf, Berg hit the second pitch she saw over the centerfield fence for a two-run blast and Bethel went on to defeat the Oles 5-2. Then, against Saint Benedict, Berg was a combined 6-for-8 with four home runs, six RBIs, and five runs as Bethel swept the season series. Finally, against Augsburg, the starting shortstop was 3-for-3 with a home run, and scored the winning run in the top of the eighth inning after leading off with a double. The win over the Auggies proved to be a MIAC playoff clinching victory. Berg now leads the team in batting average and holds Bethel's single season home run record.

Harkness was 2-0 last week, which included an eight-inning, 4-3 win over Augsburg, one of last year's playoff teams, that helped Bethel clinch its first ever MIAC playoff berth. Against St. Olaf last Wednesday, Harkness allowed just three hits while striking out four batters and walking none in a five-inning complete game that the Royals won 9-0. On Saturday against the Auggies, Harkness cruised through the first four innings before giving up three unearned runs in the fifth, but then threw an additional three shutout innings in a 4-3 win. With the win against Augsburg, Harkness also helped Bethel set a school record for most conference wins in a season.

The Royals begin playoff action at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 1, against #1 seeded Gustavus Adolphus College down in Winona, Minn., as the tournament is hosted by Saint Mary's University.