BOX SCORES: GAME ONE | GAME TWO

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Royals softball squad returned to Ona Orth Complex Wednesday for its first of three home double-headers this week against St. Catherine University. BU defeated its first opponent in a shorter segment, beating the Wildcats 9-1 after five innings in the first game and 12-11 in the second seven-inning contest.
 
Bethel utilized nine hits, two walks, and four errors by the opponent in the first game to score nine runs in the eight-run rule decision. SCU took the lead early with a run in the second inning, but BU closed the door the remainder of the game. The Royals got on the board with a run in the second inning, added two more in the third, and closed the game with a five-run inning in the fourth, and one final run in the fifth.
 
Eight players recorded a hit in the shortened competition, as Angie Jackson (Fr., Oakdale, Minn.) led the way with two hits, two RBI's, and one run scored in two plate appearances. The other freshman infielder Kalyn Sorensen (Fr., Maple Grove, Minn.) tallied two RBI's in her 1-for-3 effort.
 
Anja Erlandson (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) was nearly flawless in game one, giving up one run and four hits to St. Catherine. In the five-inning matinee Erlandson struck out three and walked two.
 
Game two wasn't nearly as easy, as the Wildcats put forth a pesky effort until the very end. After taking the 4-1 lead after 1.5 innings, SCU surrendered three runs in the bottom of the second, evening the score at four apiece. The Royals jumped ahead 10-6 after a five-run fourth inning, but the lead wouldn't stick as St. Kate's mirrored BU's five-run frame with a nickel's worth in the top of the sixth. Trailing 11-10, Bethel managed to get two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Cristina Masten (So., Fergus Falls, Minn.) hit an RBI double to left center a Wildcat error tipped the total over the edge, leading to the eventual 12-11 win.
 
Kalyn Sorensen was sensational from the plate in the second competition, going 3-for-3 with a walk, which led to five runs batted in and a run scored. Masten also finished the game with three RBI's on a 3-for-4 effort.
 
The Royals used a pair of pitchers as Anja Erlandson started and completed the game. Erlandson pitched 3.1 innings, allowing six hits and four runs, while giving up a walk and striking out one. Genna Bock (Sr., Circle Pines, Minn.) pitched 3.2 innings and allowed eight hits, which led to seven runs. Bock struck out and walked three in her time on the mound. Erlandson was awarded the victory, for her appearance in relief.
 
Bethel will host UW-River Falls tomorrow in a twin bill that is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. Fans that are unable to attend are encouraged to capture the games on the live webcast.