Mankato, Minn.—The Vikings took on the MN-Morris Cougars today coming away with a pair of wins. MN-Morris was picked to finish third in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, while the Vikings were predicted to finish fourth.

Bethany started off strong, with sophomore Ashley Jensen (Delano, Minnesota/West Lutheran) scoring the first run, she had two hits in the first game. MN-Morris almost scored in the bottom of the third but was blocked by the Vikings. The fifth inning held a lot of excitement with six runs. Freshman Kyla Schapekahm (New Prague, Minnesota/New Prague) was batted home on a double by Amanda Edmison (Mayer, Minnesota/Watertown Mayer). Edmison and Jensen then both scored on a double by pitcher Emily Rauchman (Mankato, Minnesota/ Mankato West). Defensively, Jensen closed out the inning with a rolling catch at second. The game finished out at 9-3.

Schapekahm got the win on the mound pitching a full seven innings allowing just five hits while striking out four batters.

The Vikings didn’t slow down for the second game. Pitcher Edmison caught a surprise line drive at the mound for the first out. Rauchman and Freshman Jaimee Goebel (Danvers, Illinois/Olympia) both scored in the second; second baseman Jonnica Norell (St. Peter, Minnesota/St. Peter) and Edmison then scored in the third.  Rauchman was on fire going three for four and batting in a total of three. The Cougars squeezed out two more runs in the bottom of the seventh, but not enough to beat the Vikings.

On the mound Edmison was solid allowing just four hits and struck out six batters.

Next, the Vikings will take on Macalester in a non-conference doubleheader tomorrow at 2 p.m.