MSVU Box Score

CLERMONT, Fla. - A day after playing three softball games, Bethel had the chance to focus on just one today. The Royals made it count by shutting out the Mount St. Vincent University (N.Y.) Dolphins 7-0.

Bethel scored one run in the first frame as Kelly Berg (Jr., South Haven, Minn.) hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Rachel Gilbert (Fr., Becker, Minn.), who led off the game with a double and advanced on a sacrifice bunt.

The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Royals until they added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, starting with a solo home run from Berg to lead things off. Ashley Johnsen (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) added an RBI double, while Ashley Lindberg (Sr., Sartell, Minn.) drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Rebecca Akerson (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) knocked in a run with a single.

Akerson scattered five hits and struck out 11 batters over the course of seven innings to earn her third victory of the trip.

Bethel added another pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to add some insurance. The Royals are now 5-3 overall and will be truly tested tomorrow as they are scheduled to take on nationally ranked Central College (Iowa), as well as Division II opponent University of Massachusetts-Lowell in addition to playing New England College to start the day.