Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Mankato, Minn. – The Vikings hosted Finlandia in the first game of the day falling to the Lions 0-5. Bethany bounced back to defeat Martin Luther in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) opener 1-0.
 
Game 1 vs. Finlandia (L 0-5)
Finlandia got off to a quick start scoring two in the top of the second to take the lead. The Lions scored two in the sixth and one in the seventh to solidify the win.
 
Amanda Edmison (Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer) pitched a complete game for the Vikes. She gave up eight hits in seven innings. Only two of the five runs scored were earned. She struck out two batters and walked two.
 
Bethany was led offensively by Gena Chester (Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) who went two for four in the game. Rebecca Ludewig (Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) hit a double going one for three.
 
Bethany had six hits with three errors in the field. The Vikings left seven on base. The Lions left six on base and were clean in the field.
 
Game 2 vs. Martin Luther (W 1-0)
The game against the Knights remained scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning when Bethany was able to get on the board. It started with a single down the left field line by Chester. Cortney Hallahan (Hutchinson, Minn./Holy Family Catholic) reached on a fielder’s choice and Chester was out on the play. Kelsey Pekarna (Jordan, Minn./Jordan) then doubled down the left field line for a RBI as Hallahan cruised from first to score.
 
Chester was two for two in the game with one double. Pekarna went two for three.
 
Emily Rauchman (Mankato, Minn./Mankato West) pitched the full seven innings for the Vikings allowing just four hits. She struck out three batters and walked two.
 
The Vikings had seven hits and left six on base while recording one error in the field. Martin Luther left five on base and had no errors in the field.
 
The Vikings are now 5-12 overall and 1-0 in the UMAC. Bethany will travel to Waldorf for a 4 p.m. doubleheader on April 3rd.