Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Kelly Berg (So., South Haven, Minn.) hit for the cycle today - sort of. In her six plate appearances over two games, the starting shortstop hit a single, double, triple, and home run. In the last six games, she has raised her batting average more than 100 points, and has batted in five runs to help Bethel win five of those games, including two against the St. Catherine Wildcats today. Bethel made quick work of St. Kate's in the first game, winning 10-0 in five innings, and then won the nightcap in extra innings 4-3.

Game one started remarkably strong for the Royals, and at the end of the first inning they were already ahead by five. Berg began the hitting frenzy by slamming out a triple, which was followed closely by a double from Lynnae Thompson (Jr., Stewartville, Minn). This game saw hits from a variety of different players – almost everyone who stepped to the plate connected bat to ball, including newly crowned MIAC Player of the Week, Lauren Habisch (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.). Habisch was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in game one.

In the third Bethel brought home another run with singles by Ashley Lindberg (Jr., Sartell, Minn.) and starting pitcher Rebecca Akerson (So., Lakeville, Minn.), and the fourth saw another smattering of runs by the Royals. Notably, Lindberg doubled to bring in a runner for her 10th RBI of the season. The Wildcats didn't have a chance, and the game finished with the Royals on top 10-0 after just five innings.

From the mound, Akerson's stellar pitching only boosted the Royals' confidence. She allowed just three hits in the five innings, and struck out six batters, while walking just one. Akerson is now 7-1 on the season and has a team low ERA of 0.81.

Undoubtedly, Bethel expected a similar result in game two of the doubleheader. As the game evolved, however, it seemed as though the Royals were taking on a completely different team. Both the first and second innings had come and gone by the time either team put runs on the board. With hits from Amber Beasley (Sr., Medina, Minn.) and Karina Roe (Sr., Grey Eagle, Minn.) the Royals went up 1-0. But in their next at-bat, the Wildcats brought home two runners of their own, taking the lead for the first time all day. From that point on, Bethel had a battle on their hands.

Scores flew around for the next two innings, as the two teams traded runs each time they stepped to the plate. Finally they landed, tied at three apiece. The tying run came in the fifth when Berg hit a home run – her second in the last week. Bethel couldn't continue the momentum, however, and they were unable to score in the next three innings. On the other hand, starting pitcher Nea Harkness (Jr., Winthrop, Minn.) was able to keep St. Catherine from scoring, so the two teams remained deadlocked. That is, until, the bottom of the eighth when Thompson and Brianna Lyding (Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.) hit singles to put runners on base. Then, after two wild pitches from the St. Catherine mound, Lyding and Anja Erlandson, (Fr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) the runner for Thompson, were able to move from base to base until finally, Erlandson came home on yet another wild pitch. With these crucial mistakes from the Wildcat defense, the Royals pulled ahead for a 4-3 win.

For Harkness, the eight-inning complete game win is her second victory in as many opportunities, bringing her record to 6-3 on the season. She allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks, but did strike out six Wildcat batters.

With the wins, the Royals move to 15-11 overall and 6-2 in conference, while the Wildcats drop to 7-15, and 6-4 in the MIAC. In the coming week, Bethel hopes to continue taking advantage of the sunny weather. Their next game is scheduled to be held Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Ona Orth Complex against Gustavus Adolphus, who is currently undefeated in conference play.