MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran softball team trailed by two runs early on Friday, but a big swing from Emily Doyle along with solid pitching and defense over the game's final six innings propelled them to a 3-2 victory over UW-Superior. With the win the Vikings move to 27-13 and will move on to face the University of Northwestern in the UMAC title game on Saturday at 12 p.m.. The Vikings need just one win to claim a UMAC Championship and berth to the NCAA Tournament while the Eagles have to defeat them twice. 

Hear from the Vikings
Here's what head coach Angela Dabu had to say about the game.

Dabu: "The team played with a lot of grit to come back from down 2-0. Proud of their never-give-up attitude and belief in each other!"

Inside the Box Score

Emily Meyer got the start in the circle and ran into some early trouble, as UWS was able to scratch out two runs thanks to a walk, a single, and a double to take the lead in the first.

The next two half innings passed quickly, but Bethany got a pair of runners on base in the bottom of the second with just one out. However, a double play ended the threat and preserved UWS's 2-0 lead after two complete innings.

Meyer then worked out of trouble in the top of the third after giving up a leadoff double, setting the stage for Doyle's big at-bat in the bottom half.

Emily Nelson drew a one-out walk to start the rally, and after a two-out walk to Avery Carlson, Doyle stepped up and broke a cold streak with a line drive into the left field corner, scoring two to even the game at 2-2.

Both teams went down in order in the fourth. UWS did the same in the top of the fifth before the Vikings pushed across the game-winning run in the bottom half.

It began with a walk to Jolyne LeClair, followed by back-to-back bunt singles from Emily Nelson and Bryn Weidner, loading the bases with no outs. After an infield popout, Doyle hit a ground ball to third. UWS threw home to get the force out, but the attempt to double up Doyle at first sailed into right field, allowing Nelson to score the go-ahead run.

UWS opened the sixth with a walk, but Bethany turned a 5-4-3 double play to clear the bases. That proved crucial, as the Yellowjackets followed with a double and a single to put two runners in scoring position. With two outs, UWS ripped a screaming line drive down the third base line, but Doyle came up big again, snagging it out of the air to end the threat.

After the Vikings were held scoreless in the sixth, Meyer was called on to shut the door in the seventh. UWS started with a leadoff double, but a nice play by Meyer on a bunt attempt recorded the first out, keeping the runner at second. She followed with a strikeout, and Weidner sealed the win with a strong catch on a line drive to left field.

Five different Vikings recorded hits in the contest, with LeClair and Emily Nelson each reaching base twice.

Meyer delivered a great outing for Bethany, allowing just two runs on six hits in a complete-game effort while striking out five.