Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Falcon softball team improved its win streak to five games with a sweep at Bethel University on Thursday afternoon.

The Falcons won the first game, 9-0 in six innings, and that win gave UWRF Head Coach Faye Perkins her 400th career win at UWRF. The Falcons also won the second game, 9-3.

The Falcons, now 17-8 overall and 2-2 in the WIAC, will host UW-Superior on Saturday at Ramer Field. The first pitch is at noon and the contest is the team's annual Alumni Game.

River Falls 9, Bethel 0
The Falcons scored twice in the first inning when Patty Olson hit a two-run homer to center. It was her third homer of the season and scored Hayley Buchanan who led off the inning with a single. BU loaded the bases in its half of the first inning, but Falcon pitcher Rose Tusa got the last out on a ground out. Earlier in the inning. Jessie Bester threw out a BU runner at the plate trying to score from second on a single to left field.

The Falcons added a run in the second when Sarah Bohlen led off with a double to left. She went to third on a passed ball and scored when Amber O'Connell singled.

The Falcons used three hits in the fifth inning to score three more runs. Nicole Lubahn led off with a walk and later scored when Ashley Goettl hit a two-run homer. It was her team-best eighth homer of the year. Bester then singled down the right field line. Katie Zais pinch ran and went to second on a wild pitch and to third on a passed ball. She scored when Abbie Morris singled to right.

UWRF added three more runs in the sixth. With one out, Buchanan singled to left center and Lubahn reached on an infield single. Olson then singled to left center to load the bases for Goettl. The left hander came through with a single to center to score Buchanan and Lubahn. Morris then singled to center to score Olson, but Goettl was thrown out at home trying to score.

UWRF finished with 14 hits and played errorless ball in the field. Goettl finished 3-4 with four RBI and a run scored. Olson was 2-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Morris was also 2-4 with two RBI and Buchanan was 2-3 with two runs scored. BU was limited to just four hits and they made two errors.

Tusa started and worked four scoreless inings to get the win. She allowed three hits, walked one and struck out three. Jamie Klein worked the last two innings and allowed just one hit. She faced the minimum of six batters.

River Falls 9, Bethel 3
UWRF scored three runs in the first inning of the second game. Buchanan led off with a single to left and she was sacrificed to second by Lubahn. Olson then delivered a single to right center to score Buchanan. After an out, Bester walked and Morris doubled down the left field line to score Olson. O'Connell then singled to center to score Bester.

UWRF scored two runs in the third with two outs. Bester walked and Hayley Selkirk pinch ran for her. After a double play by BU, Selkirk stole second and scored when O'Connell hit her second homer of the season.

In the fifth the Falcons again scored twice with two outs. Morris singled to left center with two outs and O'Connell reached first on an error - Morris went to third on the play. Klein worked the BU pitcher for a walk. On the play both Morris and O'Connell scored on an error.

In the seventh the Falcons added two more runs. Klein singled home Morris and O'Connell. Morris reached first on a fielder's choice and O'Connell singled.

BU scored once in the fourth and twice in the seventh. They finished the game with three run on eight hits and they made four errors.

Tusa pitched the first three innings and allowed no runs and four hits. She struck out five and allowed no walks. Bohlen worked the last four innings and picked up the win - she is now 2-3. She allowed three earned runs on four hits. She struck out two and walked two.

This was the fourth straight game that the Falcons had double digits in hits.They finished with 11. O'Connell finished 3-4 with three runs scored and three RBI. Morris was 2-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.