Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Entering today's doubleheader against the Gustavus Gusties, the Royals had won five of their last six games and four MIAC games in a row. Unfortunately, the Gusties managed to cool down the Royals and stay undefeated in conference play as they topped Bethel 5-1 and 6-0 at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex.

In the first game, the Royals ran Rebecca Akerson (So., Lakeville, Minn.) out to start as the pitcher, as Akerson entered the game leading the team in ERA, innings pitched, and wins. The righthander went on to pitch a good game against one of the toughest teams in the conference, She allowed five runs, but only two of them earned, on five hits and three walks. She struck out four batters, bringing her team leading total to 52.

Unfortunately, Akerson did not get much run support, though the Royals had some good opportunities to push runners across the plate in a close game. Down 2-0, Bethel scored its lone run of the afternoon in the bottom of the sixth inning when Lisa Patnode (Jr., Princeton, Minn.) hit a two-out single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then scored on an RBI single by Kelly Berg (So., South Haven, Minn.) to cut the Royal deficit in half. Berg advanced to third base on the throw to try to get Patnode at the plate, but the Royals were unable to bring her in to tie the game.

In the seventh inning, the Gusties went on to score three unearned runs and then held the Royals scoreless to earn a 5-1 win.

The two teams locked horns again in the second game as Gustavus relied on a six-run second inning to do all the damage they would need to do. Gustie pitcher Erin Truebenbach did not allow a hit, thought the Royals put runners in scoring postition thanks to errors and walks.

Charitey Rowden (Jr., Shellsburg, Iowa) started the game on the mound before giving way to Nea Harkness (Jr., Winthrop, Minn.), who gave up just one run - unearned - in five and a third innings of relief.

The losses drop Bethel to 15-13 overall and 6-4 in the MIAC. Gustavus improves to 21-3 overall and 10-0 in conference play with the wins. The Royals will have a day to rebound and make preparations to get back on the winning track as they are scheduled to take on Carleton College at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon in Northfield.