Mankato, Minn. – Bethany Lutheran defeated Presentation in both games of a doubleheader today. The Vikings managed to get a win in the last inning of the first game finalizing the score 3-1, and then in the second game got things moving offensively winning 12-9.

Cody Hallahan (Silver Lake, Minn./Minnesota State, Mankato) pitched for the Vikings in his first conference appearance of the year. Hallahan struck out five batters without allowing any walks. The right-hander had one run on five hits while facing 27 batters.

Despite Hallahan’s solid pitching, the Vikings had trouble getting the bats going, and left six runners on base. The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the seventh with two outs on the board. Aaron Siefken (Lone Rock, Iowa/Iowa Central CC) blasted one out of the park batting in Dylan Gass (Bird Island, Minn. / BOLD), and Trent Sonnicksen (Blue Earth, Minn./Blue Earth Area) who both singled earlier in the inning. This was Siefken’s first home run of the year. He had three hits in four at bats to lead the Vikings offensively.

Siefken got the start on the mound in the second game. He pitched four innings recording four strikeouts. He allowed four hits and two runs while facing 19 batters. Sam Stier (Austin, Minn. / Pacelli), Phillip Wessberg (Shoreview, Minn. / Mounds View) and Garrett Benson (Rochester, Minn./Rochester Mayo) all got time on the mound. In the last inning Benson recorded three strikeouts but not before walking in a run. Stier and Wessberg each allowed three runs. Combined, the Vikings pitching staff permitted nine walks. Even though pitching was somewhat unsteady, offensively Bethany Lutheran produced much better than the first game.

The Vikings scored two runs in the first three innings, and six in the fourth. Siefken again led the team with three hits in five at bats. He batted in two and scored one run. Brad Lawson (Belle Plaine, Minn./Dakota County CC) batted in four on two hits. Three of those RBIs came in the fourth inning when Lawson hit a home run. Tommy Kramer (Blooming Prairie, Minn. / Rochester CC) also recorded four RBIs. In the third Kramer doubled down the left field line to score two. In the fourth he doubled again for two more.

Gass had an RBI while scoring two runs. Catcher Casey Woodside (Albert Lea, Minn. / MN-Crookston) reached twice on an error by Presentation’s third baseman, but also managed a hit and an RBI.

Next, the Vikings will play Martin Luther at home on Tuesday. The nine inning game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.