Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Bethel Royals have encountered some tough competition so far this season, having played two nationally ranked teams in Florida, as well as an NAIA school and a Division II program. Today, the Royals took on who will arguably be their toughest opponent in conference play in St. Thomas. The #4 nationally ranked Tommies won both games of today's doubleheader 8-1 and 5-0.

The phrase, “it's not as bad as it seems” certainly applies to the scoring of game one. Aside from one run St. Thomas scored in the first inning, each team held the other scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when St. Thomas finally broke the streak and saw four girls cross their plate. And though four runs is a considerable number to overcome, Bethel played solid defense to hold St. Thomas from scoring in the next two innings. In fact, it was the Royals who struck next, starting when Amber Beasley (Sr., Medina, Minn.) singled to center field. Then, due to an error and a hit by Stephanie Vosberg (So., Rochester, Minn.), Beasley became the first and only Royal to cross home plate. Though it was heads-up running by Beasley, her effort wasn't enough to stop the Tommies from scoring three runs in the home half of the inning.

Nea Harkness (Jr., Winthrop, Minn.) started the first game and pitched four innings before handing the ball off to Brianna Lyding (So., Scottsdale, Ariz.) for the last two.

In game two the Royals allowed three less Tommie runs – but they also scored one less themselves. St. Thomas earned single runs in the second and third innings, creating a manageable gap for Bethel. But in the top of the fourth, the Tommies pulled away with three more scores – bringing their day's total to five, where it would stay. The rest of the game progressed, but neither team was able to add another tally to their score sheet.

Amber Beasley got a hit off the Tommie pitcher, as did Lisa Patnode (Jr., Princeton, Minn.) and Ashley Lindberg (Jr., Sartell, Minn.). From the mound, Bethel's pitchers only gave up eight hits during the game. Charity Rowden (Jr., Shellsburg, Iowa) and Rebecca Akerson (So., Lakeville, Minn.) took care of the pitching for Bethel this afternoon. Notably, Akerson pitched two and two-thirds scoreless innings to bring her team leading ERA down to 0.89 in 47 1/3 innings pitched.

With the losses, the Royals drop to 10-10 overall and 2-2 in the MIAC. St. Thomas rises to 22-2 overall and 6-0 in conference play. Bethel hopes to rebound in their next MIAC games against Saint Mary's, which is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex.