ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—The Bethel University softball team cruised to a sweep of UW-River Falls (DH) by scores of 6-5 and 11-5 in their 2026 home opener at the Ona Orth Complex in Arden Hills on Wednesday.
The Royals improve to 5-13, while the Falcons fall to 6-13.
Bethel 6, UW-River Falls 5 (Game One)
The Royals dug themselves out of a 5-1 deficit with a five-run sixth inning. RBI doubles from Camryn Thurow and Sidney Bartels, an RBI triple from Mandalyn Franks, who also stole home, as well as Ellie Baker's go-ahead RBI single that scored Bartels highlighted that sixth inning that sealed a 6-5 come-from-behind victory over UW-River Falls.Â
Thurow and Ellie Baker each finished 2-for-4 with one double for the Royals. Throw scored one run and had one RBI, while Baker drove in two runs. Abby Otterness was 1-for-2 with one triple, one run scored, two walks, and two stolen bases. Franks finished 1-for-4 with one triple, one stolen base (home), one run scored, and one RBI.
Bethel had 10 hits, and held UW-River Falls to eight.Â
Otterness allowed seven hits, and five runs (one earned) over the first 3.2 innings in the pitching circle for Bethel. Dominique Walicke picked up the winning decision in relief as she allowed just one hit, zero runs, and notched four strikeouts over the final 3.1 innings tossed.
Ella Stuber's 2-for-3 performance included two runs scored, two RBI, and one sacrifice bunt for the Falcons.
Bethel 11, UW-River Falls 5 (Game Two)
Bethel scored more than half their runs in the sixth inning, where they notched five hits and six runs. It widened their narrow 3-2 edge heading into the bottom of the fifth, and gave them a 9-2 cushion they didn't surrender in an 11-5 victory.
The Royals out hit the Falcons 11-8. Abby Otterness finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored, and two walks. Sidney Bartels was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, and one walk while Ellie Baker's 3-for-4 performance also consisted of four RBI. Rounding out the multi hit Royals was Greta Stanek, who finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and two RBI.
Bethel starting pitcher Brianna Tix improve to 3-4 on the season after allowing seven hits, five runs, and tallying two strikeouts over the opening 5.1 frames. Walicke surrendered one hit and had two strikeouts over 1.2 innings of pitching work in relief.
All eight of River Falls's hits were singles. The Falcons had five stolen bases in the contest. Abby Pitts was hit by a pitch twice. Addison Eaton paced them with a 2-for-4 outing at the dish.
The Royals will travel to Saint Benedict (DH) for their MIAC opener on Wednesday, April 1 at 3:30 p.m.
