ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- Bethel University's softball team was excited for Monday's home opener against UW-River Falls after splitting a conference DH with St. Thomas on Saturday, but the Falcons dashed the Royals hopes with a sweep at Ona Orth Complex.

BU took an early lead in game one, but UW-RF countered with a three-run fifth that proved to be the difference in the first seven-inning contest. The Royals cut the two-run deficit in the bottom of the fifth, but the Falcons got an insurance run in the sixth and the seventh to defeat Bethel 5-2.

The second matchup of the series looked different than the first, but ended with the same result as the opener. In the night cap, River Falls scored three runs in the first 2.5 innings before BU struck back with a pair in the bottom of the third. Trailing 2-4 after 4.5 innings, Bethel then unleashed three runs in the bottom of the fifth when Abbie Bircher hit an RBI-double to center and Micayla Moore laced a two-run single down the right-field line. The Royals were unable to protect the lead, however, as Brooke Lauritzen's two-run home run in the top of the sixth gave the Falcons the lead and eventually the 6-5 decision.

Kelsey Anderson ended the day 3-for-7 at the plate with four runs batted in and another one scored. Anderson was the only one that tallied an RBI in Monday's initial game and both times it was centerfielder Jess Brown that scored. Brown completed her day 2-for-4 with a walk and three total runs.

Also providing pop at the plate was MIAC Player of the Week Caroline Kivisto and Micayla Moore. Kivisto was 2-for-5 with a walk and a run scored, while Moore was 2-for-6 with one hit-by-pitch and two RBI's.

Karli Persson went all seven innings in the first of two nonconference games. Persson gave up three earned runs on one walk and 11 hits, while striking out three along the way. Kelsey Anderson got the nod to start game two and gave up two earned runs on four walks and five hits in 5.0 innings pitched, while also striking out three. Lindsay Edeen, who was credited with the loss in game two, gave up one run on five hits in 2.0 innings, but was able to coerce three strikeouts and allow zero walks.

Bethel drops to 10-10 on the season following the pair of losses against UW-River Falls. The Royals will look to lick their wounds quickly, as they travel to Macalester College tomorrow for a conference twinbill beginning at 4:30 p.m.