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ST. PETER, Minn.—For the first time since 1998, the Bethel University softball team swept Gustavus Adolphus College in conference play. The Royals (23-13, 14-6) snapped a 20-game losing streak to the Gusties (12-17, 9-9 MIAC) in regular-season play Tuesday, defeating GAC 6-4 and 8-4 in St. Peter.
 
Rachel Gilbert led the Royals in game one with three runs batted in on a 1-for-4 effort in the plate. The Becker, Minn., native hit a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to help Bethel take the lead for good and capture its first regular season victory over Gustavus since the 2002 season.
 
Angie Jackson also played exceptionally well—finishing 2-for-3 with a walk. Kalyn Sorenson drove in two runs with one hit and one walk.
 
Karli Persson was in the pitching circle throughout the entire game, giving up seven hits and one walk in the complete-game performance. Persson struck out three while improving to 14-7 overall.
 
The Royals jumped on the Gusties early in the second tilt, scoring three runs in the first and four in the second for a 7-1 lead after two innings played. Jess Newstrom and Abbie Bircher each had three hits, while Angie Jackson finished with two.
 
Bircher's three hits resulted in two runs and one RBI, while Newstrom's three hits helped her score one run. Cristina Masten led the Royals with two runs batted in.
 
Courtney Saurer went all seven innings, giving up six hits and five walks, which resulted in four runs for the Gusties. Saurer struck out five in her eighth win of the 2013 season.
 
The Royals have now secured a 14-6 record in conference play and will most likely go into the pool play portion of the MIAC Playoffs as the No. 2 seed—the highest in program history. Pool play begins Friday in Mankato, Minn., with the winner of each pool advancing to a four-team, double-elimination tournament Saturday and Sunday.