NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Bethel University softball team picked up a weekday conference split at St. Olaf on Wednesday, taking game one 7-3 behind a four-run seventh before dropping game two in five innings. 9-1.
 
Bethel moves to 10-11 on the year and 4-2 in MIAC play.
 
Game 1: Bethel 7, St. Olaf 3
Knotted up at 3-3 heading into the seventh, the Royals put up a big four spot capped out by a three-run homer by Ellie Baker to left. Mandalyn Franks scored the go-ahead run earlier in the frame as Mikaela Girard drove her in on a ground ball in the infield.
 
The Oles struck first as an RBI sacrifice bunt put them up 1-0 in the second.
 
Autumn Earney evened it up with her team-leading fourth long ball of the year on a 2-2 pitch to lead off the fourth.
 
In the sixth, an Ole error loaded the bases with one out before Olivia Weinberg and pinch hitter Kayla Frenette had back-to-back RBI singles to go up 3-1.
 
St. Olaf manufactured a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth, tying it up before Earney limited the damage tracking down a pop up in foul territory near the fence.
 
Dominique Walicke tossed her fifth complete game and improved to 8-3 on the year in the circle.
 
Game 2: St. Olaf 9, Bethel 1 (5 innings)
The Oles broke the scoreless tie in the second before playing five in the third thanks to a two-out grand slam.
 
St. Olaf tallied three more in the fourth as Bethel went to the bullpen after starter Brianna Tix tossed the first three innings.
 
Julia Helget scored BU's only run of the game after reaching on a double to the gap in left. Girard and Weinberg tallied the Royals' other two hits in the game.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals head to Winona on Saturday, April 12 taking on No. 22nd-ranked and conference-leading Saint Mary's. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.

  Read Full Article