NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Playing in its first MIAC Playoff game since 2015, the second-seeded Bethel University softball team fell into the loser's bracket following a 9-1 loss to fourth-seeded St. Thomas.

Sadie Hanzalik and Kayla Hokanson each went 2-for-3 at the dish leading the BU offense.

The Royals got off to a less than ideal start as an error brought in St. Thomas' first run. The Tommies put up eight runs through the first two frames before Katie Stewart singled through the left side scoring BU's only run of the game.

Bethel was held to three more hits through the final five frames as UST added one in the seventh.

In the circle Kayla Simacek was given the loss giving up seven runs, four earned on four hits. Out of the pen, Rylie Perkins tossed 4.2 innings of relief giving up one earned run.

Bethel takes on sixth-seeded Concordia tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in an elimination game. A win by the Royals would advance them to play immediately after against the winner of St. Thomas versus St. Olaf.