UW-Whitewater Box Score | Manchester Box Score

CLERMONT, Fla. - It's been said that in order to be the best, a team has to beat the best. While the Bethel Royals did not emerge victorious against the #1 nationally ranked UW-Whitewater Warhawks, they at least held their own in a 7-3 loss. Bethel then proceeded to end its spring break trip on a positive note with a 4-3 win over Manchester College.

Against the Warhawks, the Royals actually had a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half inning of play, despite not having a hit. Co-captain Amber Beasley (Sr., Medina, Minn.) led off the inning by striking out, but reached first on an error by the catcher. She then proceeded to steal second base, advance to third on a passed ball, and then score on a ground out by Nea Harkness (Jr., Winthrop, Minn.).

Unfortunately, the lead would not last as the Warhawks scored all seven of their runs in the next two innings. After that, starting pitcher Charitey Rowden (Jr., Shellsburg, Iowa) settled in and did not allow another run the rest of the game. Bethel added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings thanks to RBIs by Karina Roe (Sr., Grey Eagle, Minn.) and Lisa Patnode (Jr., Princeton, Minn.), but that would be all the Royals would get.

However, the Royals bounced back to defeat Manchester College in their second game of the day and the last game of their spring break trip. Bethel took a 2-0 lead, only to see it erased in the fourth and  fifth innings. Down 3-2, Bethel scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to regain the lead and win the game.

Starting pitcher Rebecca Akerson (So., Lakeville, Minn.) pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on six hits. She walked two batters while striking out three, bringing her team leading total to 33. Kelly Berg (So., South Haven, Minn.) had two hits and two runs, while Lauren Habisch (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) had the lone RBI of the day.

Manchester College is coached by former Bethel standout Tracy Cromer, who is Bethel's first and only four-time All-MIAC award winner.

Bethel's record now stands at 8-8 after their spring break trip. The Royals are scheduled to head back north to continue play on Wednesday, March 25, against UW-River Falls at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex.