Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Just two weeks ago, Bethel was undefeated at home, boasting an 8-0 record after sweeps of Northland College, Saint Benedict, Concordia, and Carleton.  Unfortunately, the Royals have fallen on hard times and have not been able to claim any sort of home field advantage.  Their string of misfortune continued today as they fell to the visiting Augsburg Auggies 2-1.

Starting pitchers Rebecca Akerson (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) and Sarah Green dueled for four innings before the Auggies broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth, bringing home two runs, which proved to be all they would need.

Bethel scored their one and only run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Molly Trombley (Sr., Stacy, Minn.) led off with a single, was bunted over to second, advanced to third on a single by Lauren Habisch (So., Lakeville, Minn.), and scored on a ground ball by Kelly Berg (Fr., South Haven, Minn.).  However, the Royals left seven runners on base during the course of the game, including five in scoring position.

Akerson pitched a complete game, allowing just the two runs on five hits.  However, she walked six batters and hit one, despite striking out six.

Jennifer Castillo was 2-for-4 at the plate for Augsburg, raising her average to .400 on the season.  Sarah Green earned the pitching victory for the second game in a row.

The loss drops Bethel to 17-18 overall and 9-11 in the MIAC, while Augsburg improves to 19-21 overall and 15-7 in the conference.  They clinched their first ever playoff spot with their win over the Royals yesterday.  Bethel is scheduled to take on St. Catherine tomorrow at 4 p.m. in St. Paul to finish off their season.