BOX SCORES: GAME ONE | GAME TWO

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Bethel University's softball team saw its postseason hopes fade yesterday with a split against Carleton College, as the Royals traveled to Northfield, Minn. for the final pair of games in the 2012 season. Needing a series sweep and a sweep by both Gustavus and St. Thomas, BU fell 0-1 in game one, only to come back and defeat the hosting Knights 8-4 in game two.
 
Genna Bock (Sr., Circle Pines, Minn.) got back on the right track Monday, as she had allowed just four runs in the 28 innings prior to Sunday's game against Hamline. The senior hurler threw 6.1 innings in game one against Carleton, striking out four and walking two, however, allowed the only run to score with one out in the seventh inning on a wild pitch. Bock allowed just seven hits, however, her counterpart Chelsea Yost responded with a two-hit pitching performance throughout seven scoreless innings.
 
Angie Jackson (Fr., Oakdale, Minn.) and Jess Newstrom (Jr., Cambridge, Minn.) were the only two players to record a hit in all seven innings of the first contest. BU was allowed zero walks, yet managed to leave three runners on base.
 
The second competition was a completely different story, as the Royals scored three runs immediately in the first inning. Despite jumping to a 3-0 lead after one half inning, the Knights plated three runs as well to even the score at 3-3. BU managed to get a run in the second, but surrendered a run to Carleton in the fifth inning, making the score 4-4 all the way until the seventh. Bethel closed the game and season with a four-run seventh inning and kept the Knights scoreless in the bottom to go home with an 8-4 victory in the second game.
 
The other senior pitcher, Anja Erlandson (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.), pitched game two, striking out five and walking four in the complete-game victory. Erlandson allowed seven hits and four runs, but improved her season record to 8-8 with the win.
 
Bethel composed eight runs on 10 hits and four walks in the second effort. Jessica Pudwill (Sr., Detroit Lakes, Minn.) finished her senior season magnificently, going 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs batted in. Chelsey Flalzone (So.,Lake Elmo, Minn.) finished 1-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Additionally, Rachel Gilbert (Jr., Becker, Minn.) capped her incredible season off with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate and two runs scored.
 
With the split BU finishes the 2012 campaign with a 16-24 record (10-12 MIAC), and finish tied for fifth place within the conference. Unfortunately, the Royals will be on the outside looking in as the conference hosts the MIAC Playoffs this weekend. For all tournament information, fans can visit the MIAC website.