ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—The Bethel University softball team opened their 2026 season at the 2026 NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia on March 6-8. 

The Royals faced three nationally-ranked teams throughout a six-game stretch that saw them finish 1-5. They opened the season with an 11-3 (5 innings) loss to No. 1 Trine, and an 11-8 loss to No. 14 Huntingdon on March 6. The Royals' responded with a 7-4 triumph of Transylvania, and a 12-9 loss to Stevens on March 7 before they dropped a pair of games to Maryville 11-9, and No. 23 Berry 13-3 (5 innings) on March 8.

Trine 11, Bethel 3 (5 innings)

The score read 1-1 through 2.5 innings before Trine's six-run third frame gave them enough cushion in an 11-3 (5 innings) victory.

Leading Bethel was Abby Otterness, who went 2-for-3 with one double and one run scored. Mandalyn Franks went 2-for-2 with one walk, one run scored. Otterness and Franks accounted for Bethel's four-of-six hits in the contest while Trine finished the contest with nine hits.

Brianna Tix, Dominique Walicke, Mary Hajduk, and Otterness each saw time in the pitching circle for the Royals. They collectively allowed nine hits and 11 runs, seven of which were earned. Tix, who got the start, surrendered four hits, three runs (two earned), and notched three strikeouts over 2.1 innings of pitching work for Bethel.

Huntingdon 11, Bethel 8 (9 innings)

Bethel out hit Huntingdon 10-9. Sidney Bartels accounted for most of BU's hits as she went 4-for-5 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored. Rounding out the multi-hit Royals was Camryn Thurow, who finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, and one walk. Abby Otterness, who went 1-for-5, had a team-leading two runs scored.

Dominique Walicka allowed three hits, three runs, three walks, and notched one strikeout over 2.2 innings in the pitching circle. Pitching the final 6.1 innings was Brianna Tix; who surrendered six hits and six runs, and notched five strikeouts.

Bethel 7, Transylvania 4

Royals starting pitcher Dominique Walicke surrendered just four hits, four runs, and notched four strikeouts in a complete-game victory.

Bethel's offense managed to provide Walicke 11 hits. Camryn Thurow, who went 3-for-4 with one RBI, was the lone multi hit Royal. Abby Otterness, Mandalyn Franks, and Sydney Bartels each had one hit, and one RBI, and combined to score four runs for Bethel. Molly Closser went 1-for-3 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored. 

Bethel finished with 11 hits across nine different individuals.

Jessica Strickland paced Transylvania with a 2-for-3 outing that consisted of one double, one RBI, and one run scored.

Stevens 12, Bethel 9

Both teams combined for 29 hits, 14 of which belonged to Bethel. Camryn Thurow and Sidney Bartels each went 2-for-4 with one double. Lucie Voight was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Abby Otterness and Brianna Tix, who each scored and drove in one run, round out the five Royals who recorded multiple hits. 

Molly Closser's two-run single in the third inning highlighted her 1-for-4 performance.

All nine starters registered a hit for Bethel. Huntingdon accumulated 15 hits in the contest, and got multi-hit performances from five individuals. Allison Mitloff finished 3-for-5 for Huntingdon, who scored 11 runs in the sixth inning.

Megan Meixell allowed 15 hits and 12 runs in a complete-game pitching effort for Bethel.

Maryville 12, Bethel 9

The opening two innings resulted in a combined 17 runs scored, which made up Maryville's 9-8 lead. The final five frames produced just three runs between both teams as Maryville iced an 11-9 victory.

Bartels was the lone multi hit Royal, going 2-for-4 with one double, two runs scored, and two RBI. Mandalyn Franks, Ellie Baker, and Camryn Thurow each finished 1-for-4 with two runs scored. Bartels, Franks, and Greta Stanek each hit a double for a Bethel team that outhit Maryville 8-7. Seven Royals registered a hit.

Emma Blankenship paced Maryville with a 3-for-5 performance, two runs scored, and one RBI.

Berry 13, Bethel 3 (5 innings)

Berry, who got hits from all nine starters, outhit Bethel 16-4 in the contest. Singles from Sidney Bartels, Greta Stanek, and Julia Helget as well as Camryn Thurow's double made up Bethel's four hits. 

Elly Bennett finished 3-for-4 with three doubles, six RBI, and two runs score for Berry while Lauren Cothern also finished 3-for-4, which included a three-run home run in the second inning, one double, two runs scored, and four RBI. 

Mary Hajduk, Dominique Walicke, and Megan Meixell combined to allow 16 hits, 13 runs, and notch two strikeouts in the pitching circle for Bethel.

The Royals will face Tufts (DH) in a neutral-site contest in Seguin, Texas on Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m.