MINNEAPOLIS—Bethel University's softball team challenged Augsburg University Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis and came away with a series split at the still-covered Edor Nelson Field. The Royals (9-9, 2-2 MIAC) mounted a furious comeback in Saturday's opener to defeat the Auggies (11-9, 3-1 MIAC) 7-5, but surrendered two six-run innings in game two and fell by a final score of 12-2.
 
BU trailed Augsburg 5-2 heading into the sixth inning, but a five-run frame catapulted Bethel into the lead and they held the Auggies scoreless the final two innings. The Royals began the sixth with a double from Emily Eaton and Allie Fauth. An Augsburg error allowed Fauth to score, which was then followed by a three-run home run by Jana Roste.
 
Roste finished the game 2-for-4 with one run and three RBI. Mariah Uphoff, Wendy Roberts, and Allie Fauth also went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Megan Bode finished 1-for-3 with two runs, one RBI, and a home run. Fauth's two hits were a double and a triple.
 
Hannah Schmidt allowed five runs—four earned—on 10 hits and one walk, while striking out six in the complete-game effort. 
 
Bethel mustered just four hits in game two, which resulted in two runs, while the Auggies recorded eight hits and eight walks which led to 12 runs.
 
Jana Roste went 1-for-3, while Mariah Uphoff, Amanda Gemuenden, and Cassidy Abbott finished 1-for-2. Uphoff and Hannah Schmidt scored the teams two runs, while Gemuenden and Abbott posted the only to RBI.
 
The Royals return to action Sunday morning when they play host to Concordia College at 8 and 10 a.m. in the Dundas Dome. Live stats for the doubleheader will be available here.