ST. PAUL, Minn. – A strong pitching performance from freshman Calli Maki led the Bethel University softball team to a doubleheader split with Macalester Saturday afternoon in St. Paul. The host Scots shutout the Royals in game one 2-0 before Maki and Megan Thurow combined for a shutout in game two, 7-0.

With the split and a Saint Benedict win over St. Olaf, the Royals officially were eliminated from MIAC playoff contention. Now 24-10 on the year and 9-9 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, Bethel continues its six-game road trip to close out the season at Saint Mary's tomorrow. First pitch in Winona is set for 1 p.m.

Game 1: Macalester 2, Bethel 0
Bethel was shutout for just the second time this season as Hannah Schmidt and Sophie Migacz battled in a series opening pitcher's duel.

Macalester broke the scoreless tie with a two-out RBI in the third.

In the fifth, Maddie Fauth started out the half inning with an infield single to third. Lexi DeBace grounded out to advance pinch-runner Angela Dabu into scoring position. A walk to Allie Fauth and a bunt single by Mariah Uphoff put the bases full of Royals. Amanda Gemuenden hit into a fielder's choice play that saw Allie Fauth retired at second to strand the bases loaded.

Starter Hannah Schmidt forced the Scots to a 1-2-3 fifth before a pair of wild pitches and a single in the sixth gave the hosts a two run advantage.

DeBace attempted to spark a rally with a one-out single before Allie Fauth grounded into a game ending double play.

Game 2: Bethel 7 Macalester 0
Jamie Axelberg, Kayla Hokanson and Maddie Fauth all recorded multi-hit and multi-RBI game in the finale.

Axelberg brought in the game's first run scoring A. Fauth who started the game reaching on an error.

In the third, Bethel's bats put up a crooked number extending its lead to 4-0. Uphoff led off the half inning with an infield single. Axelberg brought in Uphoff with a double to center before scoring herself on Maki's double to left. After reaching third via a passed ball, Maki crossed the plate on an infield single off the bat of Kayla Hokanson.

In the circle, Maki retired nine of the 10 she faced before getting help from the BU offense in the fifth.

K. Kokanson brought in her second run of the game on an infield single before M. Fauth drove in a pair with a single to right making it 7-0 after four and a half. 

Macalester looked to break the shutout putting runners at first and second with one out in the sixth. Staying resilient, Maki buckled down forcing a grounder to third where Alexa Hanowski stepped on the bag and threw to first for the inning ending double play.  

Thurow came in to close out the game where she recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end it. Maki (11-4) in six innings of work gave up five hits, two walks and recorded two strikeouts.