Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany softball team had a great all-around effort in the opening game against Northland and earned a split in the UMAC doubleheader.

The Vikings grabbed a big early lead in the first game scoring twice in the first inning and five more in the second. After Aimie Wiechmann reached on an error to lead off, Katy Snyder hit a single to center. Two batters later, Cindy Pawlitschek drove them both in with a double to center.

Bethany took advantage of four Northland walks on their way to a big second inning. Desi Becker had a run-producing hit in the frame as Bethany led 7-0 after two.

While the Vikings were busy scoring runs, Anna Pipenhagen was busy shutting down Northland on the mound. The Lumberjills didn't get their first base runner until the fourth inning. Pipenhagen allowed only one hit on nine strikeouts and their only run was unearned.

Rachel Kurtenbach put an early end to the game in the fifth with a 2-RBI single that scored Amber Schulz and Becker to make the final score 9-1.

Bethany dropped the second game 5-4, but nearly came back to win with a seventh inning rally. After two batters walked to lead off the inning, Snyder's single scored one and Pipenhagen's single scored another to pull them within one with two outs. A deep fly out ended the rally and the game.

Bethany (8-16, 2-7 in UMAC) wraps up the home portion of their schedule Saturday with a doubleheader against St. Scholastica starting at 1 p.m.