MANKATO, Minn. - Emily Meyer tossed 14 total innings on Wednesday afternoon, allowing just one earned run as the Bethany Lutheran softball team defeated Luther 1-0 in game one before a 2-1 defeat in game two. With the results the Vikings move to 10-6 on the season while the Norse go to 5-5. 

About the Performance
Here's what head coach Angela Dabu and sophomore pitcher Emily Meyer had to say about the contests with the Norse.

Dabu: "Luther is a solid team and we competed all night from the first pitch to the last. Game 2 didn't go our way but we're continuing to grow as a team every time we step on the field together."

Meyer, who tossed all 14 innings and struck out seven batters on the day, had this to say: "During our home opening doubleheader there were many crucial plays made by our defense that kept us in the games. Offensively, we adjusted at the plate and picked up some key hits and we have a never give up attitude that was showcased today and it backed me up as the pitcher. We're ready to play another competitive team as we go into Friday's double header."

Inside the games

Bethany 1 - 0 Luther
Meyer worked a hitless first two innings of game one before the Vikings put up what proved to be the game winning run in the bottom of the season. Carly Nelson would single with one out in the inning before pinch runner Alexis Dahlberg advanced to second on a groundout. Orla Keys then hit one just over the outstretched arms of the second baseman to bring in Dahlberg and make it 1-0. 

Bethany would record just two hits the remainder of the contest but the one run was enough for Meyer. She would keep the Norse hitless until the fourth inning, when a double to open the inning put a runner in scoring position. A lineout followed by a single would put runners at the corners with one away, but Meyer would pick up a key strikeout and a groundout would end the threat. It was smooth sailing from there for the sophomore, as she allowed no hits and just one base runner in the final three innings to take the 1-0 shutout win. 

Meyer struck out five in the complete game win while Emily Nelson led the Vikings at the plate as she was 2-for-2. 

Luther 2 - 1 Bethany
The first few innings of game two were controlled by both pitchers as they each worked out of jams with runners in scoring position in the second to keep it scoreless. Meyer would work around runners in scoring position in the third, fourth, and fifth as well before the Vikings were able to get her some run support in the bottom of the fifth. It was Carly Nelson who singled and after Hayven Linn pinch ran, the latter would make a great heads up play to steal second. A popout would make it one out in the inning before Keys delivered the go-ahead hit to center to put the Vikings up 1-0. 

After a 1-2-3 top of the sixth, the Norse would finally make their comeback in the top of the seventh. Meyer would put the first two batters down before an infield single started the threat. Luther would then send a pinch hitter to the plate and, down to her last strike, she would line one into the left field corner to bring the runner in and make it 1-1. The next batter would hit a ground ball that wasn't handled cleanly by the Vikings and would allow another run to cross as they took a 2-1 lead.

Kaija Mork would lead off the seventh with a double and after a Bethany walk, a flyout would move both runners into scoring position. Mork was then thrown out trying to score on ball to shortstop before a flyout ended the contest. 

Bethany had just four hits in the contest with Emily Doyle reaching twice thanks to a hit and a walk. Meyer took the hard luck loss, going seven innings, allowing one earned run, and striking out two. 

The Vikings will be back in action on Friday when they host Gustavus for a pair of games beginning at 4:30 p.m.