ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The Bethany Lutheran softball team dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader to Saint Benedict on Wednesday afternoon, falling 9–0 in five innings in the opener before coming up just short in a 2–1 loss in game two.
Game 1 – Saint Benedict 9, Bethany Lutheran 0 (5 innings)
Saint Benedict used a pair of early big innings to take control of the opener. The Bennies scored three runs in the first inning and erupted for five more in the second to build an 8–0 advantage. They added one more run in the third to secure the run-rule victory.
The Vikings were limited to three hits in the contest, with Olivia Sanborn, Paige Haala, and Hayven Linn each recording singles.
Emily Meyer took the loss in the circle after allowing nine runs over three innings, while Joie Koll provided a scoreless inning of relief to finish the game for Bethany.
Game 2 – Saint Benedict 2, Bethany Lutheran 1
Bethany responded with a much stronger performance in the second game, battling the Bennies in a tightly contested match up that was decided by a single run.
After three scoreless innings, the Vikings broke through in the fourth when Aliya Edbom-Kehler came around to score on an RBI single from Hayven Linn, giving Bethany a 1–0 lead.
Saint Benedict answered in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on defensive miscues to plate two runs and take a 2–1 lead. Those would prove to be the deciding runs, as the Vikings were unable to push across the equalizer in the final two innings.
Bethany recorded four hits in the nightcap, with Bryn Weidner, Carly Nelson, Aliya Edbom-Kehler, and Linn each tallying one. The Vikings showed patience at the plate with five walks but left nine runners on base in the narrow defeat.
Emily Meyer delivered a strong complete-game effort in game two, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out four over six innings of work.
The Vikings look to bounce back this weekend as they open up UMAC play with a road trip to the University of Minnesota Morris. The doubleheader Saturday starts at 3 pm.
