ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University softball team put an abrupt end to its recent skid when sweeping Concordia College at home Monday afternoon. The Royals (11-20, 7-12 MIAC) defeated the Cobbers (8-28, 0-20 MIAC) 11-0 in five innings during game one and later went on to win game two by a final tally of 7-2.
 
Anna Nichols picked up win No. 7 inside the circle when pitching a complete-game shutout in Monday's opener.  Nichols, who is 7-12 overall with a 3.74 ERA, has now gone 20 consecutive innings without an earned run allowed.  The Cobbers managed two hits and zero walks against Nichols, while striking out once.
 
Hannah Schmidt received the victory in game 2 after allowing two runs—one earned—on three hits and three walks, while also striking out four in 7.0 innings pitched.
 
Several batters had a field day over the course of both games. Mariah Uphoff led the team with four hits in eight at-bats with one triple, two runs, three RBI, and one stolen base. Jana Roste collected three hits during six plate appearances that resulted in two runs and four RBI.
 
Also finishing 3-for-6 at the plate was Emily Eaton and Wendy Roberts. Eaton, who plastered a double to right in game two, also recorded two runs and three RBI. Roberts, who added a walk and a stolen base to her final stat line, scored once and drove in two. Finally Alexa Hanowski finished 2-for-4 with two walks, two runs, and two RBI.
 
Bethel's season continues Thursday when they travel down Snelling to face the University of Northwestern-St. Paul in an evening doubleheader that begins at 5 p.m. Live stats for Thursday's games can be seen here, while live video is available here.
 
The Royals also announced Monday that the softball games against Central College on Sunday, April 30 have been cancelled. Instead, BU will travel to Saint Mary's to finish game two against the Cardinals that was suspended due to darkness.