Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ROSEMOUNT, Minn.—Softball season has officially begun, as the Bethel University schedule got underway Saturday with a double-header against nonconference opponent, Buena Vista University. The Royals (1-1) had a number of consequential errors in the first game that kept them from a series sweep over the Beavers (1-3), but came back in the second seven-inning contest to defeat BVU 6-1.
 
“It was great to get some games in before we leave for our spring trip,” said head softball coach Rod Radcliffe. “Our bats are improved and overall, I thought we played well, minus a few errors early.”
 
Bethel allowed five runs in the first two innings of play, which put the Royals in an early hole. But BU didn't quit, as Kal Sorenson (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) got the Royals first hit of the season—and was it a big one—as the first baseman delivered a solo home run. Bethel shut out the Beavers for the rest of the game, but could only muster three more runs in the final five innings and fell in the end 4-5.
 
Angie Jackson finished the game 2-for-4 with a home run that drove in two runs and two run runs scored. Sorenson also went 2-for-4 in the game with a pair of RBI and a run scored.
 
Karli Persson got the nod in the season opener, and pitched exceptionally well—striking out 10 BVU batters, while giving up seven hits and two earned runs in six innings of work.
 
Once the nerves settled in game one, the Royals found how successful they could be in game two. Holding the Beavers to zero runs in the final five innings of the first game was not a fluke, as BU continued that trend through the first five innings of the second.
 
Angie Jackson hit her second home run of the early season in the second affair, which contributed to the Royals six runs in the first five innings. Jackson finished the second seven-inning game 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Other contributors included Micayla Moore, who went 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored, and Logan Ahlness, who finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and a run driven in.
 
Courtney Saurer pitched a one-run, three-hit effort in the seven innings of work, striking out nine and walking none.
 
Radcliffe was pleased with many things Saturday, “I was happy our pitchers both threw complete games and the level of our intensity in each contest.” Radcliffe continued, “We know what we can continue to work on in preparation for Florida.”
 
The Royals next game will be in Clermont, Fla., as they begin their Spring Break Trip on Saturday, March 9, against Gannon University and Cornell College. Bethel will compete against 12 different opponents while in Florida and will return on March 17.