Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Bethel Royals snapped a six-game losing streak and closed out the 2008 campaign with two impressive wins today, defeating the College of St. Catherine Wildcats 10-2 and 10-7 on the road. 

During a season of ups and downs, the Royals have reason to feel good about their accomplishments on the field, hopefully signaling a turning of the tide for the program.  The two wins gives Bethel their first overall winning record since 1997 at 19-18.  Their 11-11 conference record is their best since the 1998 season, and their sixth place finish is the best since 2004.

In game one, Bethel scored early and often, jumping out to an 8-1 lead at the end of three innings.  Kelly Berg (Fr., South Haven, Minn.) put the Royals up 1-0 with her second home run of the season with just one out in the top of the first.  Then in the second inning, the Bethel bats exploded for four runs, highlighted by a bases loaded triple by Molly Trombley (Sr., Stacy, Minn.).

Lauren Habisch (So., Lakeville, Minn.) led off the third inning by hitting a home run.  Michelle Wilson (Fr., Anoka, Minn.) and Joslin Geisler (Sr., Grand Rapids, Minn.) each added RBIs in the inning as well.

The Royals put the game out of reach and evoked the eight-run mercy rule by adding two more runs in the top of the sixth inning on an error.

Starting pitcher Charitey Rowden (So., Shellsburg, Iowa) allowed one run in the bottom of the sixth, but eventually closed the door to earn her eighth win of the season.  She pitched all six innings, giving up seven hits and two earned runs.  However, she did not walk any batters and struck out two.

Lisa Jacobs had a pair of hits and knocked in the Wildcats only two runs. Kayla Webster also had two hits, including a double.  However, she also took the loss in the game, giving up five runs in just one and one-third innings pitched.

Game two was a much closer game, but the Royals used two five-run innings to account for their 10 runs, which proved to be more than enough to win.

Down 1-0 in the top of the third, Berg hit her second home run of the day - a three-run blast - to put the Royals on top.  Not to be outdone, Habisch hit her second home run of the day - a two-run shot - to give Bethel a 5-1 lead heading into the home half.

The Wildcats answered with just one run of their own, but steadily chipped away at Bethel's lead and eventually went up by a score of 7-5 after five innings.

With a renewed sense of determination, Bethel came charging back with five runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead back for good.  Karina Roe (Jr., Grey Eagle, Minn.) had a RBI single, while Habisch knocked in her third and fourth runs of the game with a double.  The other runs came in as a result of an error and a wild pitch.

Rowden came on in relief in the bottom of the sixth and pitched lights-out softball for the next two innings to earn a save.  She allowed just one hit and one walk, helping middle reliever Rebecca Akerson (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) earn her sixth win of the season.

Once again, Jacobs did a majority of the damage for the Wildcats, batting 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.  Starting pitcher Kayla Schmidt helped her cause by batting 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.  St. Catherine closes their season at 11-23 overall and 8-14 in the MIAC.

Bethel seniors Laura Naig (Kasson, Minn.), Trombley, Geisler, and Jennifer Lundgren (West Fargo, N.D.) played in their final games as Royals today.