MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran College softball team is set for a pivotal three-game series against UW-Superior this weekend, with significant implications for the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Tournament at stake. The series kicks off with a single game on Friday at 1:00 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 11:00 a.m. UW-Superior leads the UMAC with a 14-1 conference record and a 29-8 overall mark, while the Vikings are 13-2 in the conference and 23-12 overall. Whichever teams comes out victorious in the series will serve as the host for the conference tournament next weekend.
Hear from the Vikings
Here's what head coach Angela Dabu had to say about the upcoming weekend.
Dabu: "We're looking forward to another weekend of great competition. Heading into the end of the regular season it's important for us to trust our training and preparation and have some fun out there."
The Series
The all-time match ups between these two teams have been tightly contested, with the Vikings holding a 15-14 edge. Last season Bethany claimed 2-of-3 games in the regular season series before the Yellowjackets ousted them in the UMAC Tournament, defeating them twice by one run.
Scouting the Vikings
Emily Doyle has been one of the top hitters in the conference this season, batting .419 while adding 20 extra base hits to slug .771 on the year. Bryn Weidner has also been a spark at the top of the Viking order, hitting .388 while Kaija Mork is just behind her at .387. In the circle, Mork and Emily Meyer have accounted for 199 innings pitched this season, both holding ERA's under 2.30 while combining for a 21-12 overall record.
Scouting the Yellowjackets
UWS has been led by 37 games this year by Ellie Macal, as the senior has been the toughest out in the conference this season, batting .505 and slugging .859. The Yellowjackets have five others players batting above .418 on the season, with their team batting average of .403 currently ranking third in NCAA Division III. In the circle, Bella Garley, Samantha Swartz, and Abby Mitchell have done a majority of the throwing, all holding under 2.12 ERA's in UMAC play.
