CLERMONT, Fla. — The Bethany Lutheran Softball Team split their double header on Wednesday, being on both sides of close games. They started off the day in the win column beating Neumann University. Unfortunately, they dropped their second game to RPI losing 2-1 in a pitching duel.
Bethany Lutheran 6, Neumann University 4
Bethany (11-2) got on the board early, tying the game in the first when Emily Doyle launched a solo home run to right-center to knot the contest at 1-1.
In the fourth inning, the Vikings broke the game open as Carly Nelson delivered a clutch two-RBI double to put BLC ahead 3-1.
Neumann battled back in the fifth inning with a pair of unearned runs to regain a 4-3 edge, but Bethany responded in the sixth. With two out, Bryn Weidner delivered an RBI single to even the score, and later in the frame the Vikings added insurance when Orla Keys reached on an error that allowed two more runs to score, stretching the lead to 6-4.
Bethany's offense finished with nine hits on the day, paced by Nelson's multi-hit performance and Doyle's big swing. On the mound, Joie Koll and Emily Meyer combined to hold the Knights to six runs, with Meyer earning the win in relief.
Bethany Lutheran 1, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2
The Bethany Lutheran softball team's offense was stifled in the second game Wednesday, falling 2-1 to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Bethany struck first in the opening frame when Carly Nelson singled up the middle to bring home Olivia Sanborn and give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
However, RPI responded in the bottom of the first with two runs — the first coming on a sacrifice fly by Callista Adorno, followed by another sacrifice fly from Addison Shaffer that brought home the go-ahead run.
The Vikings had chances to spark offense later in the game, but the RPI pitching staff limited Bethany to just one run on eight hits.
RPIÂ (4-3) secured the win behind a strong outing from Ava Markert, while Emily Meyer took the tough loss for Bethany in the circle.
The contest kept Bethany's offense quiet, but the Vikings look to bounce back as their spring break trip continues tomorrow against Concordi University (Wis.) at 12:30 pm, and Illinois College at 2:45 pm.
