ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- Bethel University's softball team improved to 6-2 against MIAC opponents and 15-11 on the season with a split versus the College of Saint Benedict Wednesday afternoon. The Royals dropped a pitchers duel in the first contest by a final of 3-1, but avenged its loss in the opener with a 9-2 victory in game two.
 
Saint Benedict entered the day with a 2-2 record in conference play after a doubleheader against St. Thomas and Gustavus. The Blazers took the lessons learned from those games against tough opponents and defeated BU in a close matchup. CSB scored one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh, which proved to be enough as the Royals mustered just one in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Lindsay Edeen was credited with the loss; however, Edeen's performance was nothing to scoff at. Bethel's pitcher gave up five hits, three walks, and one earned runs in 7.0 innings pitched.

Edeen's pitching performance would've been more than enough in game two, as Bethel jumped on the Blazers for nine runs with scores in every inning but the second. Thankfully Karli Persson was just as dominant in the circle, though, as Persson gave up seven hits and two earned runs in 7.0 innings pitched. Persson struck out three and walked none during the complete-game victory.

Caroline Kivisto and Angie Jackson each batted well for the Royals throughout Wednesday's twin bill. Kivisto finished 4-for-6 with one run and four more driven in. Kivisto hit an RBI-single in the first, a two-RBI single in the third, and a solo home run in the fifth. Angie Jackson was also 4-for-6 at the plate with a hit-by pitch, two runs scored, and one RBI.
 
Also swinging the bat well was Micayla Moore and Kelsey Anderson. Moore was 3-for-7 on the day with one run and one RBI. Anderson completed her day 2-for-7 with a pair of runs and one RBI.
 
Bethel welcomes St. Catherine to Ona Orth Complex this Friday, April 10, for an MIAC doubleheader. First pitch between the Royals and Wildcats is set for 3:30 p.m.