Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - A cold and dreary day at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex turned even more so for the Royals as they were handed a pair of losses by the visiting Hamline University Pipers, 1-0 and 9-1.

In game one, MIAC Pitcher of the Week Nea Harkness (So., Winthrop, Minn.) and Hamline's Jessalyn Weaver tangled in a pitcher's duel that lasted more than seven innings. 

It wasn't until the top of the eighth inning that the Pipers broke a scoreless tie with a two-out RBI single to go up 1-0.  The Royals nearly answered in the bottom half of the inning as Karina Roe (Jr., Grey Eagle, Minn.) and Tonia Erickson (So., Welcome, Minn.) both reached on singles, putting them at third and first base, respectively.  Erickson then broke for second base in an attempt to draw a throw in a rundown situation that would allow Roe to break for home.  However, the Pipers defense snuffed out the play, resulting in two outs and no runs, dashing the Royals hope for a tie or possible win.

Harkness pitched eight strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits.  She walked one batter and struck out six to reduce her team-leading ERA to 2.90.

Laura Naig (Sr., Kasson, Minn.) had a pair of hits and a stolen base to lead Bethel offensively.

In game two, Hamline used a six-run second inning to do the brunt of the damage against pitchers Charitey Rowden (So., Shellsburg, Iowa) and Rebecca Akerson (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.).

It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth inning that Bethel was able to score, thanks to a bases loaded walk to Molly Trombley (Sr., Stacy, Minn.) to score Lisa Patnode (So., Princeton, Minn.) for the Royals only run of the afternoon.

Bethel falls to 15-12 overall and 7-5 in the MIAC while Hamline improves to 12-10 overall and 6-4 in the conference.  The Royals are scheduled to take on Macalester at Dunning Field in St. Paul starting at 3:30 p.m. on Monday for their next doubleheader.