Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - As the battle to reach the MIAC playoffs intensifies, spoilers emerge, forcing teams still in the hunt to play with a greater sense of urgency.  St. Olaf played the role of spoiler this afternoon, defeating Bethel 7-0 and 3-1, dropping the Royals to sixth place with six games remaining.

In game one, the Bethel bats mustered just one hit against St. Olaf's top pitcher, Katie Truax.  Truax faced just 24 batters, allowing a hit to Kelly Berg (Fr., South Haven, Minn.) and two walks during her seven innings. 

Starting pitcher Nea Harkness (So., Winthrop, Minn.) was tagged for three runs in the third inning, which proved to be all the Oles would need.  Rebecca Akerson (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) and Kelsey Simmons (So., Guernsey, Wyo.) also pitched for Bethel.

In game two, the Royals took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Ashley Lindberg (So., Sartell, Minn.) scored on an error with Laura Naig (Sr., Kasson, Minn.) batting.  Naig was credited with a run batted in, her team-leading 19th of the season.

However, a three-run fifth inning put the Oles up to stay.  The Royals did put a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth inning, but were unable to capitalize, leaving the score 3-1.

Charitey Rowden (So., Shellsburg, Iowa) pitched her seventh complete game of the season, allowing seven hits and three runs in six innings.  She walked two and struck out one Ole batter.

Both Molly Trombley (Sr., Stacy, MInn.) and Karina Roe (Jr., Grey Eagle, Minn.) had two hits apiece helping the Royals outhit the Oles 9-7 in game two.

St. Olaf catcher Emily Hennig had the lone extra base hit  in the game, a RBI double in the fateful fifth inning.

Bethel falls to 17-14 overall and 9-7 in the MIAC, while St. Olaf improves to 14-16 overall and 7-11 in the conference.  The Royals will try to keep their playoff hopes alive this Friday when they take on St. Catherine on the road beginning at 4 p.m. for their next games.