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MANKATO, Minn. - Today was a long day of softball for the Bethel Royals. After waiting an extra day to begin play in the MIAC playoffs due to foul weather, the Royals made the wait worth it by defeating Gustavus for the first time since 2002 by a score of 4-2. However, by the end of the day, that same Gustavus team would prove to be the final opponent for Bethel in the 2010 season.

Bethel's day started on the right foot as Lauren Habisch (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.) drove in Ashley Johnsen (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) with an RBI double in the top of the first. The Gusties responded with a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game, but that would be the only earned run given up by Charitey Rowden (Sr., Shellsburg, Iowa) on the afternoon.

The Royals countered with another run in the top of the second inning as Ashley Lindberg (Sr., Sartell, Minn.) belted a home run to give Bethel a 2-1 lead. Bethel allowed another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but regained the lead in the top of the fifth when Johnsen singled in Jess Newstrom (Fr., Cambridge, Minn.), who led off the inning with a walk. Kelly Berg (Jr., South Haven, Minn.) blasted a solo home run in the top of the sixth to give the Royals some breathing room, and Rowden took care of the rest on the slab.

Rowden, who put the wraps on arguably her best season, scattered six hits over seven innings and walked two while striking out two others in the win. She became the first pitcher to earn a postseason victory in team history.

Unfortunately, the momentum would not last. By virtue of winning, the Royals had the honor of taking on #24 nationally ranked St. Thomas in the second game of the afternoon, as the Tommies defeated St. Olaf 9-2 in their first game of the afternoon. The Tommies scored in each of the first four innings, thus doing all the damage they needed to do to the Royals.

Bethel put one run up on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning when Nea Harkness (Sr., Winthrop, Minn.) batted in Rebecca Buhr (So., Detroit Lakes, Minn.), but that would be all the scoring the Royals could muster in a 5-1 loss.

With little time to process the loss to St. Thomas, Bethel turned right around to play Gustavus once more. Gustavus staved off elimination by knocking St. Olaf out of the playoffs with a 5-2 win, and then did likewise to the Royals by defeating Bethel 8-0 in five innings. Lindberg accounted for Bethel's only two hits in the nightcap.

Nine seniors ended their collegiate playing careers this afternoon. The class of 2010 has the most wins of any class in school history at 81, and they also hold the school record for most conference wins with 44. The Royals finish the season at 23-20 overall and 14-8 in the MIAC.