Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TUCSON, Ariz. – After defeating Hiram College on Sunday afternoon, the Bethany Lutheran softball team faced the Terriers in the series finale on Monday afternoon before taking on Newbury College in the second contest of the split doubleheader. The Vikings fell to both teams on Monday to drop to 2-8 on the young season.
 
GAME ONE: Hiram College 3, Bethany Lutheran 1:
In a very competitive college softball game, it was the Terries coming away with the 3-1 victory over the Vikings. Junior Anna Pipenhagen (Elk River, Minn.) pitched yet another solid game for Head Coach Dan Nessler. The right-hander pitched all six innings, giving up two earned runs while striking out seven batters.
 
Offensively, BLC concluded with seven hits compared to the opponents nine. Leading the Vikings with two hits apiece was Christina Wickingson (Mason, Wis.) and Katelyn Karels (St. Clair, Minn.). Wickingson tallied the lone RBI in the seven inning contest.
 
GAME TWO: Newbury College 4, Bethany Lutheran 3:
With two out in the bottom of the seventh and the game tied at three, Newbury came through with an RBI single down the right field line, giving the Nighthawks a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Bethany Lutheran Vikings in the Nighthawks first win of the season.

Vikings freshman Samantha Meginbir (Lloydminster, AB, CAN) finished 3-for-3, including a double. Junior Cindy Pawlitschek (St. Paul, Minn.) was 2-for-2, with a pair of singles. It was a quick start for both teams as the first inning yielded high offense for both teams.
 
With one out in the first inning, Vikings junior Pipenhagen reached first on a walk. Pawlitschek followed the walk with a single, giving the Vikings runners on first and second.

Following a strikeout, freshman Meginber singled. A Nighthawks error would help score Pipenhagen and Pawlitschek as well as Meginber, giving the Vikings a 3-0 lead after the top of the first.
 
The Nighthawks threatened in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with one out, thanks to a pair of singles and an error by the Vikings. An infield pop out and a groundout to second would end the inning, getting the Vikings out of the jam.

Newbury's pitcher settled down after allowing three first inning runs, allowing just four hits in the final six innings. Pawlitschek was chased after just 1/3 of an inning to start, allowing the Nighthawks first three runs on three hits, she was credited with a no decision. Pipenhagen came in to replace Pawlitschek, pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits, while striking out 10.
 
UP NEXT:
Bethany Lutheran will resume action on Thursday, March 9^th at 1:30 p.m. (MST) against Aquinas (Mich.) followed by a contest against Arizona Christian at 6 p.m. (MST).
 
To stay current with Vikings athletics this season, continue to visit www.blcvikings.com and follow @BLCvikings on Twitter.
   
MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Lucas Herd at 507-344-7856 or email lucas.herd@blc.edu.