ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's softball team split Sunday's series with Saint Mary's by final scores of 8-9 and 9-6. The Cardinals (14-24, 7-13 MIAC) scored the go ahead run in the top of the seventh in game one to win the opener in dramatic fashion. But the Royals (14-18, 7-11 MIAC) responded in game two with a four-run sixth that helped them come from behind to win the weekend finale.
 
Game One
BU was charged three errors in the first inning, which allowed SMU to take an early 3-0 lead. Bethel rebounded, though, with a four-run frame of their own in the bottom half of the first. The Cardinals went right back to work, scoring three more in the second, before Bethel plated three runners in the fourth. Saint Mary's got back in front with a two-run fifth, but the Royals knotted the game at eight with an RBI-double from Allie Fauth. The seesaw tipped towards SMU for good when they scored a run in the seventh and despite having the tying run on second in the bottom of the seventh, BU was unable to send it to extra innings.
 
Bethel belted 10 hits in game one, three of which went for extra bases. Allie Fauth finished 2-for-2 with a double, two hit by pitches, two stolen bases, one RBI, and two runs. Jamie Axelberg went 2-for-3 with a walk, stolen base, run, and RBI, and Amanda Gemuended collected a pair of hits, including a double, and one run. Morgan Meissner earned the loss after allowing three runs on 11 hits and one walk in 5.1 innings pitched.
 
Game Two
Game two was similar to game one in that both teams scored in droves and the lead went back and forth, but the result was different as Bethel scored last and held on to defeat Saint Mary's 9-6. The Cardinals once again scored in the top of the first, this time plating four runs. But BU responded again, this time with five runs in the bottom of the third, which gave the Royals a 5-4 lead. The lead didn't last very long, however, as SMU plated two runs in the top of the fourth to regain a 6-5 advantage. The Royals then started the sixth with the bases loaded and nobody out. A fielder's choice, bunt single, and a sacrifice bunt helped BU push four runs across the plate, which proved to be more than enough to get the win.
 
Bethel once again recorded 10 hits, including a triple from Amanda Gemuenden and a double from Allie Fauth. Fauth and Roste each had two RBI, while Mariah Uphoff finished 2-for-4 with two runs. Hannah Schimdt earned the win inside the circle, allowing zero runs and zero hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
 
What's Next
Bethel, who played their first home game last Wednesday, plays their final home game on Tuesday, May 1, when Hamline University comes to Ona Orth Complex for a conference doubleheader scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.