BOX SCORES: GAME ONE | GAME TWO

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University softball squad played its second double-header in as many days Thursday, as the Royals played host to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in a nonconference twin bill. BU hung tough throughout the day's competitions, but fell 9-0 in six innings in the first game and 9-3 in the second seven-inning affair.
 
The Royals trailed 3-0 throughout the first four innings, but allowed three runs in both the fifth and sixth inning to go down in the shortened contest. Bethel's best opportunity came in the first inning when recording three hits, but a runner was thrown out at the plate and three more were stranded to keep BU scoreless.
 
Alexandra Thunborg (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) was the most successful at the plate, as the right fielder recorded two of the four BU hits throughout the first game. Tara Schinke (So., Long Lake, Minn.) and Rachel Gilbert (Jr., Becker, Minn.) were the only other two players to achieve a hit off the UW-RF pitcher.
 
Genna Bock (Sr., Circle Pines, Minn.) started game one, giving up six earned runs and two walks, while striking out one in a five-inning effort. Courtney Saurer (Fr., Chanhassen, Minn.) finished the final inning.
 
Bethel surrendered three runs to the Falcons early in game two and allowed the visiting team two more run in the third, before getting its first run of the day in the bottom of the fourth inning. UW-RF added two more in the top of the fifth and seventh inning, and BU added two more in the bottom of the seventh, which led to the 9-3 finish.
 
Tara Schinke continued her success in game two, finishing the day 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI's. Rachel Gilbert also had a multi-hit game in the second affair, managing two hits in four plate appearances.
 
Alicia Chelberg (Fr., St. Croix, Wis.) toed the pitching rubber in game two, giving up five runs, four walks, and five hits in her first collegiate start. Courtney Saurer pitched in relief again in game two, going 4.0 innings. The Chanhassen, Minn. native walked just one and struck out one, while allowing six hits and four runs.
 
With the pair of losses, BU drops to 9-19 on the season. The Royals prepare for its third double-header of the week, as it will take on Augsburg College Saturday in a matinee affair scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.