ST. PAUL, Minn. – A seven-run fourth inning aided the Bethel University softball team to a 14-6 comeback win in game one over St. Scholastica Monday morning. A late rally by the Royals in game two came up just short as the Saints took the finale 6-5 for the series split.

Things are looking bright for the Royals early on as they start 3-1 for the second consecutive season under fifth year head coach Penny Foore. Bethel steps away from the frigid Minneapolis winter as they head to Clearmont, Fla. for a 10 game stretch from Mar. 17-Mar. 22. 

At the plate, sophomore Jamie Axelberg stayed hot going 6-for-7 with a pair of doubles, a home run and four RBIs. Three-hole hitter and sophomore Amanda Gemuenden collected four hits and four RBIs while crossing the plate a team-best five times.

In the circle, junior Megan Thurow picked up the win in game one throwing 4.2 innings of shutout relief.

Game 1: Bethel 14, St. Scholastic 6 (6 innings)
It was the opposition to strike first, but once again it was the Royals who had the last say.

The Royals surrendered a run in the opening frame but Gemuenden blasted her first long ball of the season to give BU an early 3-1 lead after the first inning. The Saints responded back in the visiting half of the second jumping on Bethel starter Hannah Schmidt. St. Scholastica took advantage of a pair of Royal errors to put up a five spot before Thurow came in to limit the damage recording a pair of strikeouts following two walks.

Thurow settled in despite allowing four walks. She took care of the Saints lineup with five strikeouts and allowed just two hits in her releif work. 

It was only a matter of time before Bethel had its big inning. Last night it was the second and in game one today it took place in the fourth. The Royals batted around sending 11 hitters to the plate scoring seven runs to take a 12-6 lead into the fifth. Highlighting the inning was a two-run shot by Axelberg to dead center that was followed by a triple off the bat of Cassidy Abbott who scored moments later on a double by Maddie Fauth.

BU put up two more in the six to earn the run-rule victory as pinch hitter Kayla Hokanson drove in pinch runner Lexi DeBace who ran for Courtney Hokanson after she started the half inning with a double. M. Fauth doubled to score K. Hokanson and end the game after six innings.

Game 2: St. Scholastica 6, Bethel 5
A late rally by Bethel came up short as their four-run fifth inning was not enough to sneak past the Saints in game two.

Bethel took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Axelberg drove in Gemuenden.

Freshman Calli Maki made the start in game two as the Saints bats found a rhythm with a two-run home run in the second. Maki worked out of a jam in the third to give the offensive an opportunity to chip away at the deficit. BU put two runners in scoring position but a line shot to third by K. Hokanson was followed by a diving grab from Saints pitcher Maggie Schley on a pop up by M. Fauth to end the Royal threat.

Ellie Rogers entered the circle for relief in the fourth after Maki surrendered a one out walk. The Saints going through their lineup a third time used three hits and a sacrifice fly from the top of their lineup to put up a four spot and lead 5-1.

Bethel did what they do best and that is respond. For the second time today the Royals sent all nine hitters to the plate. The wheels partially fell off for St. Scholastica when Mariah Uphoff placed a perfect bunt down the third base line which was thrown away by the Saints who tried to retire the go ahead runner at third. Gemuenden, Axelberg and Abbott all drove in runs as the Royals were able to tie it up a 5-5.

The Saints moved its leadoff hitter in the fifth inning into scoring position with a single and stolen base on the first pitch to the seven hitter. That stolen base proved to be costly as the Saints drove in the game's winning run with a single to center seconds later. 

Bethel put up a fight in the final two frames with a few singles, but could never get a runner past second with Schley picking up the complete game win in the circle for the Saints.  

Rogers suffered the loss tossing 2.2 innings of relief work allowing three runs while striking out one.