ROCHESTER, Minn.—Bethel University's softball team opened the 2016 campaign with a series split versus No. 21-ranked Central College. The No. 23-ranked Royals (1-1) dropped the season opener against the Dutch (1-1) 4-7, but rebounded nicely with a 6-2 victory in game two.
 
The Royals led Central 3-1 after the fourth inning of game one, but the Dutch scored five runs over the next 1.5 innings and never looked back. Bethel attempted a comeback in the bottom of the sixth, but mustered just one run in the 4-7 setback.

Bethel trailed 2-1 after the first inning of game two, but two runs in the second inning and two more in the third gave BU a 5-2 lead. The three-run margin was more than enough to secure the win, but the Royals tacked on one more in the fifth to secure the 6-2 victory.
 
Six individuals finished the day with three hits, including short stop Jess Davis, who finished 3-of-9 at the plate with two doubles, four runs batted in, and one run scored. Megan Bode, Anna Nichols, and Jana Roste all finished 3-of-7 with a double and a walk. Nichols had three hits alone in game one, Bode scored three times, and Roste tallied one RBI and two runs scored.

Lindsay Edeen was credited with the win in game two after pitching a complete-game performance against the Dutch. Edeen allowed five hits and two walks, but Central's two runs were both unearned.
 
Karli Persson also went the full seven innings in Saturday's 6 a.m. contest, but the Dutch were able to record nine hits and three walks off of Bethel's senior hurler. Persson struck out five in the loss.  

Bethel now has to wait two weeks before they play their next competition, but thankfully for the Royals that next matchup will be outdoors in Clermont, Florida. BU will play 10 games over the course of seven days during their spring break vacation.