ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University softball team concluded a busy week of conference play with a split of Gustavus Adolphus. The Royals edged the Gusties in game one 3-2 in eight innings before dropping game two, 11-0, in five innings.
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Bethel is now 11-14 on the year and 5-5 in MIAC play.
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Game 1: Bethel 3, Gustavus Adolphus 2 (8 innings)
Tied at 1-1 heading into the eighth, Gustavus plated the runner that started the inning on second with a sacrifice bunt and an RBI groundout.
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The Royals tied it up a 2-2 in the bottom of the half as a sacrifice bunt and a single up the middle by
Julia Helget scored
Sidney Bartels. Helget would eventually get over to third and score the game-winning run as a ground ball from
Autumn Earney went right through the Gusties' shortstop legs with the bases loaded and two outs.
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It was a pitcher's duel through the first four frames, where
Dominique Walicke picked up all four of her strikeouts. Â Â
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The Royals broke through on the scoreboard as
Mikaela Girard drove in Earney from second on a double that one hoped over the first base bag and into the right field corner.
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Gustavus tied it up in the top of the seven, scoring its leadoff double with a base hit to center.
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Earney, Girard and
Olivia Weinberg each had two hits apiece. Walicke improved to 9-4 on the year giving up one earned run on five hits while walking two.
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Game 2: Gustavus Adolphus 11, Bethel 0 (5 innings)
A nine-run fifth inning allowed the Gusties a run-rule victory over Bethel in game two of the doubleheader. Gustavus drew five walks while tallying six hits as they built on its 2-0 lead heading into the inning.
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A two-out walk followed with a double put a pair in scoring position for the Gusties in the fourth. A two-RBI single up the middle then broke the scoreless tie.
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Abby Otterness notched a two-out double to left in the bottom of the fourth; it'd be the Royals' only hit of the game.
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Brianna Tix suffered the loss in the circle going 4.1 innings and giving up five runs.
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UP NEXT
The Royals are back on the road on Wednesday, April 16, traveling to St. Catherine for a MIAC doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m.
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