ST. PAUL, Minn. — Bethany Lutheran defended their crown, and are back-to-back UMAC Tournament Champions.
For the second straight season, the Vikings sit atop the conference after an incredible sixth-inning comeback propelled Bethany Lutheran past Northwestern 3-2 on Saturday to secure another UMAC Tournament Championship.
Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, Bethany Lutheran faced its biggest challenge of the postseason — and responded like champions.
Aliya Edbom-Kehler reached base to begin the rally before Orla Keys drew a walk. Addie Ahern then delivered a crucial single to load the bases and ignited the Vikings' dugout.
Emily Nelson helped get Bethany Lutheran on the board after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in the Vikings' first run. Olivia Sanborn followed with a clutch sacrifice fly to even the score at 2-2.
Then came the defining moment of the championship run.
Bryn Weidner stepped up and ripped a go-ahead RBI double up the middle, scoring Addie Ahern and completing the stunning three-run rally that gave Bethany Lutheran its first lead of the game at 3-2.
After Northwestern built its lead with runs in the second and sixth innings, Bethany Lutheran's defense and Emily Meyer kept the game within striking distance until the offense delivered when it mattered most.
Meyer closed out the seventh inning and the Vikings completed the comeback, sealing not only the UMAC Tournament title but also back-to-back conference championships for the program. The Vikings will find out Monday, 5/11, where they will be heading as they start their quest for a national championship.
