NORTHFIELD, Minn. – It was the first time this year that the Bethel University softball team dropped both ends of a MIAC doubleheader, falling to conference-leading St. Olaf in a pair of pitcher's duels.

A seventh-inning rally came up just short in the opener where BU fell 4-3, before reigning NFCA Pitcher of the Week Julie Graf of the Oles shutout the Royals in the finale, 1-0.

Game 1: St. Olaf 4, Bethel 3
Kayla Simacek and Graf were in a fierce pitcher's duel where Simacek forced a stranded runner each half inning and Graf not allowing a hit until the sixth.

The Oles broke a scoreless tie on a two-run double to left in the fifth. Bethel produced a run in the sixth when their bats awoke and Kayla Hokanson brought in Allie Fauth.

A two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning but St. Olaf up 4-1, the Royals didn't go down easily. A two-out rally was sparked with a bases loaded walk before Jamie Axelberg made it a one run game on an infield single. A sharp liner to short from Hokanson ended the comeback effort.

Despite receiving the loss, Simacek struck out seven while issuing one walk.

Game 2: St. Olaf 1, Bethel 0
Bethel came out on the wrong end of another pitcher's duel as Oles' ace Julie Graf kept BU out of the hit column.

Despite giving up seven hits, Simacek held the Oles to a single run in the second while striking out four and walking none.

The Royals only base runners in the night cap came via the walk drawn by Jamie Axelberg and Kayla Hokanson.

Up Next
Bethel, which moved to 15-7 on the year and 8-4 in MIAC play, hosts Concordia Wednesday at Ona Orth Athletic Complex. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.