Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - After a postponed St. Catherine game earlier in the week, the Royals were excited to take on their first conference opponent in Macalester on Monday. And if these first two games are any indication of how the rest of the season will go, Bethel can look forward to a prosperous year. The Royals defeated the Scots in both games, 9-4 and 2-1, respectively.

The start of the first game, however, didn't look like it was going to go in favor of the home team. Macalester stepped to the plate first and scored two runs in the first half inning. Though with a series of singles and one triple by Lisa Patnode (Jr., Princeton, Minn.), the Royals responded with two runs of their own in the home half. The next two and a half innings remained scoreless, until in the bottom of the fourth when Bethel brought four runners home. Then in the fifth, the Royals added three more runs to the scoreboard, which finished the Scots.

Amber Beasley (Sr., Medina, Minn.) was 3-for-4 at the plate, including two singles, a double, and an RBI. Lauren Habisch (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) had two runs and a hit in her three times at the plate.

Pitcher Charitey Rowden (Jr., Shellsburg, Iowa) went the distance, allowing seven hits and four walks, but recording five strikeouts, and leaving seven runners on base which frustrated Macalester.

Game two saw the same result through different means - and a lot less scoring. In fact, save for Macalester's lone run in the first inning, neither team scored until the fifth, in which Beasley and Rebecca Akerson (So., Lakeville, Minn.) were able to reach the home plate. Two runs would be the extent of the scoring for the Royals, but it was all they'd need to maintain the win. Akerson also pitched the second game. She allowed just four hits and had six strikeouts. Akerson now leads the team in innings pitched, strikeouts, and ERA.

With two solid victories under their belts, the Royals have a 2-0 conference record and a 10-8 overall standing. Macalester falls to 0-2 in the MIAC and 5-11 overall. Bethel is scheduled to travel northwest to take on Concordia-Moorhead on Thursday, but with the flooding in that region, the Royals will most likely be looking forward to Saturday for their next games against Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., beginning at 1 p.m.