MANKATO, Minn. – The Bethany Lutheran softball team took care of business on Sunday afternoon as they defeated North Central 20-1 and 19-0 in a pair of five inning games. With the win the Vikings improve to 20-11 overall and 12-0 in the UMAC.
Bethany Lutheran 20 – 1 North Central
ÂÂAfter a scoreless first inning from the two teams, the Vikings offense would erupt in the second inning. Bethany would rack up 17 hits in the frame en route to scoring 17 runs. Aliya Kehler highlighted the inning by blasting two home runs, the first and second of her career, while also picking up a single to go 3-for-3 in the inning. Kaija Mork also hit a home run, while Rylee Pelant recorded her first collegiate hit in the inning.
After a quick bottom half of the inning, the Vikings would come back in the top of the third and knock out six more hits to post three more runs and claim a 20-0 lead. The Rams would get a run back in the third inning but that was it for scoring in the contest as the Vikings would claim the win.
Kehler had a career day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored to add to her two home runs. Jade Krenik added three hits and a pair of RBIs and runs scored, while seven other Vikings posted multiple hits.
Kayla Senne got the win in the contest, going the first two innings and striking out five.
Bethany Lutheran 19 – 0 North Central
To start game two, the Vikings would get six runs in the first inning as Kehler, Sierra Brown, and Bailey Erlandson all posted RBI base hits.
Kaija Mork then opened the second inning with a home run to left center to begin the scoring again for the Vikings. Bethany would rack up five more hits in the frame and use a pair of walks and a Rams error to claim seven runs and lead 13-0 after two.
The Vikings would add on three more runs in the third, two in the fourth, and one in the fifth, while Senne held the Rams scoreless to claim the win.
Kehler once again led the attack at the plate in game two, posting three hits, four RBI, and three runs scored in the contest. Emily Doyle, Haley Stockman, Madisen Borek, and Bailey Erlandson all added two hits for the Vikings, while Erlandson adding three RBI.
Senne went the distance in the contest, allowing just two hits and striking out nine in the win.
