Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - For the first time in more than 10 years, Bethel has opened conference play by sweeping the opposition.  The Royals played host to the College of Saint Benedict Blazers and won both games of their doubleheader, 8-1 and 9-1 in five innings.

In game one, Bethel got all the offense they would need with two runs in the second inning thanks to back-to-back doubles by Laura Naig (Sr., Kasson, Minn.) and Kelly Berg (Fr., South Haven, Minn.) to lead off the inning.  Lauren Habisch (So., Lakeville, Minn.) drove in Berg with a single to put the Royals up for good at 2-0.  Habisch with was 2-for-2 with two runs and two runs batted in during the first game.

The Blazers answered with their only run against starting pitcher Charitey Rowden (So., Shellsburg, Iowa) in the top of the third inning.  Rowden improved her season record to 5-3 by pitching six strong innings, allowing eight hits and a walk, while striking out two.

The Royals added to their lead in the fourth inning with a two-run Karina Roe (Jr., Grey Eagle, Minn.) double, making the score 4-1. 

After a scoreless top of the fifth inning, Bethel put the game out of reach with a four-run bottom half, highlighted by Naig's second double of the game and a Berg two-run single.  Habisch and Kelsey Simmons (So.,  Guernsey, Wyo.) each had RBI singles as well.

No Blazer had more than one hit, and Alyssa Kubesh had their only extra-base hit with a double in the second inning.  However, she was thrown out trying to stretch it out into a triple as the relay from Lisa Patnode (So., Princeton, Minn.) to Berg to Michelle Wilson (Fr., Anoka, Minn.) was in time for the out.

In game two, Bethel made short work of Saint Benedict, scoring nine runs in the first three innings to evoke the eight-run mercy rule after five innings.

Highlights of the second game include a double and triple by Habisch who was a perfect 4-for-4 on the day.  She batted in two more runs and also scored two more runs of her own.

Naig also hit her third double of the day, and had three RBI, making her the team leader in both categories with four and 14, respectively.

Pitcher Rebecca Akerson (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) allowed just three hits and a walk in four innings of work for her second win in as many days, and third of the season.

Bethel improves to 10-7 overall and is now 2-0 in the MIAC.  Saint Benedict falls to 4-11 overall and 0-4 in the conference.  The Royals will take their five-game winning streak down Snelling Avenue on Monday as they travel to St. Catherine for a doubleheader for their next games, beginning at 4 p.m.