ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Hamline softball team (4-15, 1-11 MIAC) took on Bethel this afternoon, falling 9-0 in the first game and 7-1 in the second game at the Ona Orth Complex in Arden Hills. The Royals pitching staff found a way to stymie the Piper offense, holding them to just four hits on the day, all of which were in the second game.
 
GAME 1: BETHEL 9, HAMLINE 0 (5 INNINGS)
In the first game of the doubleheader, Bethel pitcher Kayla Simacek threw a perfect game, allowing no Piper runner to reach base in all five innings, striking out 13 of the possible 15 outs.
 
The Royals' offense also had a solid game, with 11 hits across the five innings, leading to the run-rule victory. Bethel got on the board in the first inning as a leadoff single was later driven in by a triple to right center. BU would add four more runs in the second, taking a quick 5-0 lead.
 
Hamline pitcher Theresa Klinnert would strikeout three batters in the third to keep it a five-run game, but the Royals broke through again in the fourth, using four hits and a walk to score four more runs. This would be all they needed to end the game early.
 
Klinnert pitched all four innings for the Pipers, walking three and striking out four in the outing, moving to 2-6 on the year.
 
GAME 2: BETHEL 7, HAMLINE 1
In game two, Bethel once again held a considerable edge in hits at 13-4, using that to propel themselves to a 7-1 win and the doubleheader sweep.
 
Junior Amber Peterson, first year Nayeli Pallais-Yllescas, Klinnert, and senior April Jacobs all had a hit in the game for the Pipers.
 
Hamline scored their lone run of the game in the top of the first inning, as the first three batters (Peterson, Pallais-Yllescas, and Klinnert) all singled to load the bases. Sophomore Gabby Cook then scored Peterson on a line out to left field. HU was unable to do any more damage in the inning, taking an early 1-0 lead.
 
The Royals answered in a big way in the bottom of the inning, using seven hits (including a two-run homer) to score five runs. They would tack on two more runs in the second with a single and two doubles to make it 7-1.
 
After that, however, junior Dana Rosbacka and the Piper defense were able to hold Bethel to zero runs for the final four innings, but were unable to score any more of their own leaving the final at 7-1. HU did have baserunners on in the fourth, fifth, and sixth, but weren't able to capitalize.
 
The Pipers will look to bounce back on Monday when they head down to Northfield to take on Carleton with games at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.