PLYMOUTH, Minn.—2018's spring season has certainly been crazy, but fortunately  "crazy" doesn't look like it's going to disrupt the Bethel University softball schedule too much at this point.
 
In fact, BU took on the University of St. Thomas in the MIAC opener last night in the Providence Academy Dome and the Royals (8-8, 1-1 MIAC) split the series with the No. 14-ranked Tommies (11-5, 1-1 MIAC) by final scores of 1-9 and 4-3.
 
Bethel and St. Thomas were tied 1-1 in Thursday night's initial contest, but UST manufactured five runs in the fifth after their first two batters flied out and then three more in the sixth to secure the victory via the eight-run rule.
 
The Royals bounced back in the second game, however, putting up a four-spot in the fourth and holding UST scoreless in every inning but a three-run fifth.
 
Hannah Schmidt earned the win in the circle for BU in game two, allowing three runs—two earned—on eight hits and three walks, while striking out two in the complete-game performance.
 
Bethel tallied six hits and one walk in the series finale. Interestingly, five of the six hits came in the top of the fourth and three of BU's four runs came with two outs. Schmidt delivered the two-out, two-RBI single that pushed Allie Fauth and Cassidy Abbott across the plate for what proved to be the game-winning runs.
 
The Royals now travel to Minneapolis Saturday to take on Augsburg University at Edor Nelson Field at 1 and 3 p.m. and Northfield Sunday to face Concordia College at the Dundas Dome at 8 and 10 a.m.