Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - After sweeping three conference opponents in a row, Bethel looked to continue its winnings ways against first-place St. Thomas on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, the Royals were unable to do so, losing 8-0 and 8-1 to the #21 ranked Tommies.

Game one started out slow for the Royal offense as they were hitless through three innings until Nea Harkness (Sr., Winthrop, Minn.) produced Bethel's first hit in the bottom of the fourth. Harkness was unable to score and the Royals were limited to just four more hits the rest of the game, all singles. The Bethel defense backed up starting pitcher Charitey Rowden (Sr., Shellsburg, Iowa) with strong plays by Kelly Berg (Jr., South Haven, Minn.) and Ashley Johnsen (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.). Berg recorded four assists and three putouts while Johnsen recorded twelve putouts.

Game two was much of the same story as St. Thomas jumped on the scoreboard early to take a 5-0 lead in the third inning. The Royals responded in the bottom of the third with an RBI single by Rachel Gilbert (Fr., Becker, Minn.). Johnsen went 2-for-4 in game two, scoring Bethel's lone run. Berg and Lisa Patnode (Sr., Princeton, Minn.) recorded one hit apiece to round out the offense. Three late-inning Bethel errors proved costly as St. Thomas added three more runs to make it 8-1.

St. Thomas improves to 26-6 overall and 13-1 in conference with the wins. The Royals drop to 15-17 overall and 7-7 in the MIAC. Bethel looks to bounce back at home on Thursday as they face the Carleton Knights. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.