NEC Box Score | CEN Box Score | UML Box Score

CLERMONT, Fla. - Bethel's bats continued to stay hot as the Royals posted a 2-1 record on their sixth day of an eight-day, 16-game spring break trip.

Bethel started the day with an 11-2 win over New England College (N.H.) in five innings. The Royals scored in every inning, putting the game away by scoring four times in the top of both the fourth and fifth innings. Kelly Berg (Jr., South Haven, Minn.) was a perfect 3-for-3 with three doubles, three RBI, and two runs scored. Ashley Johnsen (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) notched two hits and an RBI, while Stephanie Vosberg (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) knocked in a pair of runs.

Charitey Rowden (Sr., Shellsburg, Iowa) pitched a complete game, allowing just two runs on five hits and striking out two in five innings.

The Royals then faced #15 nationally ranked Central College (Iowa) and were able to hang with the Dutch for the first five innings. However, Bethel's seven errors proved to be too costly and Central posted seven runs in the top of the sixth inning in a 15-5 defeat of the Royals.

Central jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first inning, then tacked on another four runs in the top of the fourth inning. However, Bethel responded by scoring three runs to cut the deficit in half, and then added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Berg was 2-for-3 with another pair of doubles, while newcomer Randi Thompson (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) hit an RBI double and pitched two-and-a-third innings.

Despite the loss, Bethel rebounded by closing out the day with a 13-7 win over NCAA Division II opponent, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks. The Royals fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, but struck back with nine runs in the top of the second. Bethel sent 15 batters to the plate during the inning, but only had three hits and left the bases loaded.

Rachel Gilbert (Fr., Becker, Minn.) had the biggest hit of the inning with a bases loaded triple to drive in three runs. Ashley Lindberg (Sr., Sartell, Minn.) contributed with an RBI single, while pitcher Rebecca Akerson (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) also helped herself out by hitting an RBI single. Akerson recorded her fourth win of the trip by pitching seven innings, giving up seven runs on 13 hits.

The wins give Bethel a 7-4 season record, but they also move Head Coach Rod Radcliffe within one win of 100 at Bethel. He'll have a chance to earn that 100th win on Friday as Bethel plays three more games starting at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time).