MOORHEAD, Minn. – With a combined 29 runs scored the No. 17-th ranked Bethel University softball team picked up a road conference sweep at Concordia Saturday afternoon. Behind home runs from Abby Otterness and Autumn Earney, BU took game one 14-2 in five innings before continuing the run production in game two winning 15-7.
 
Now on a four-game winning streak, the Royals move to 21-7 on the year and 10-4 in MIAC play where they sit third in the standings.
 
Game 1: #17 Bethel 14, Concordia 2 (5 innings)
• Abby Otterness homered for the third time in as many games kicking off the scoring in the top of the first.
• The Royals plated five more in the second going up 6-0. In the frame, Autumn Earney kick started a five-RBI game driving in a pair with a double to right.
• In the fourth, Earney put the Royals up by nine with a three-run shot over the center field fence for her second homer of the year.
• Bethel put up a crooked number in the fifth with Kayley Frenette and Molly Closser each driving in a run.
• Kayla Simacek tossed three innings of perfect softball while striking out nine. Reliever Abby Otterness pitched the final two frames giving up two runs on four hits while striking out three.
 
Game 2: #17 Bethel 15, Concordia 7
• Camryn Thurow kicked off a 3-for-3 game scoring BU's opening run in the first legging out an infield single and scoring Earney. Cortney Hokanson kick started her three-RBI game with a sacrifice fly a batter later putting the Royals up 2-0 after one.
• The Cobbers evened it up in the bottom half with back-to-back home runs on starter Mary Hajduk.
• The Royals responded with a five spot in the second taking the lead back for good at 7-2.
• Sidney Bartels tacked on her second RBI of the day scoring Faith Tverberg in the fourth making it 8-5.
• After Thurow led off the sixth with a hit-by-pitch, C. Hokanson followed it up with a two-run homer to right center.
• Reliver Kayla Frenette got the win giving up two runs on six hits in four innings of work while striking out five.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals return to Ona Orth Athletic Complex on Tuesday, April 23 hosting Augsburg for a doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m.
 
 
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