ST. PAUL—After a week-long hiatus from the playing surface, the Bethel University softball team was ready to get back on the diamond. The Royals (16-18, 11-9) knew they needed to sweep their final two conference doubleheaders in order to give themselves a shot at the postseason, which included a pair at the University of St. Thomas Saturday. BU gave the No. 16-ranked Tommies (33-5, 20-2 MIAC) a scare the opener, but UST overcame two one-run deficits in game one and then went on to win game two by a final score of 5-0.
The initial contest between Bethel and St. Thomas remained scoreless in the first five innings of play. Kalyn Sorensen helped the Royals strike first with a sacrifice flly in the sixth and Bethel was one out away from taking game one by a final score of 1-0, but an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh sent the contest into extra frames.
BU then threatened to score in the eighth with runners on first and third and one out, but an inning-ending double play put a dent in Bethel's momentum. Like the Royals, UST had scoring chances in the eighth and ninth inning, but Bethel's defense remained tough in both frames.
International rules began in the 10th inning, which allows the last batter to start at second base at the beginning of an inning. The Royals took advantage of that when Micayla Moore scored to give BU a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the frame. St. Thomas answered, however, by not only scoring the runner from second, but also three more with a walk-off home run.
The dramatic 10-inning defeat dashed Bethel's postseason hopes, which was evident in game two, as the Royals mustered just two hits in the 5-0 loss.
Kalyn Sorenson finished the day with the team's only RBI. Wendy Roberts continued to lead her team at the plate, as she went 3-for-7 in Saturday's doubleheader. Caroline Kivisto recorded a hit in both games, including a double in game one, and Abbie Bircher went 2-for-4 with a run scored in the opener.
Lindsay Edeen pitched exceptionally well in the 10-inning thriller. The senior hurler went the distance, allowing three earned runs on 13 hits and three walks, while striking out two. Anna Nichols pitched 5.2 innings of relief in game two, giving up two runs on 10 hits and two walks, while striking out a pair in the 5-0 loss.
The Royals travel to Menomonie, Wisconsin today for a nonconference twin bill against UW-Stout before closing out their season Monday at home against Carleton College. Bethel, who is celebrating senior day against the Knights, is scheduled to throw out the first pitch at 3:30 p.m.
