Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University softball team stretched its winning streak to 11 games with a 9-0 victory in game one Saturday before falling in game two to Hamline University 7-4. The Royals (20-12, 11-5 MIAC) had the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh inning of the second contest, but a deep pop fly stopped a rally that would have stretched the BU's win streak to 12 straight. Nonetheless, the Royals improved to 11-5 in conference play—in a two-way tie with the Pipers for third place.
 
Karli Persson threw an absolute gem in game one, giving up two hits and zero walks in the 9-0 shutout. Persson's second straight shutout improved her record to 13-6 with the complete-game effort and lowered her season ERA to 2.39.
 
Bethel amassed nine hits in the first tilt, with Angie Jackson and Jess Newstrom each collecting two knocks. Jackson finished 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBI, while Newstrom had one of each. Cristina Masten also plated two runs with a 1-for-2 effort.
 
Hamline created a sizeable advantage in game two—going ahead of the Royals 7-1 after 6.5 innings of play, but Bethel rallied in the bottom of the seventh—scoring three runs and ending the inning with runners on base. BU mustered six hits and no walks in the competition, with nobody getting more than one hit.
 
The Royals pitched by committee in the second, as Persson was credited with the loss—giving up four runs in the first three innings. Courtney Saurer allowed three earned runs on five hits throughout the next 3.1 innings before Lindsay Edeen closed out the final two outs. Persson falls to 13-7 on the season.
 
Tomorrow will complete Bethel's stretch of eight games in four days, as the Royals welcome Carleton College to Ona Orth Complex. First pitch between the Knights and Royals is scheduled for 2 p.m. Live webcast will be available here.