Softball | 4/30/2015 4:26:00 PM

MIAC Playoffs | Live stats / video | Directions and Parking

Notes: Hamline | Gustavus Adolphus | St. Thomas



The Bethel File
Bethel University returns to the MIAC Softball Playoffs for the third consecutive season and the fifth time since 2009. The Royals have reached the MIAC Championship game in back-to-back seasons but fell short to St. Thomas both times. Their title game appearance in 2013 was the first in program history.
 
New sheriff in town
Under the direction of first-year head coach Penny Foore, Bethel's softball team won its first-ever MIAC regular season championship with an 18-4 record against conference opponents. 18 wins against league foes throughout the regular season sets a new program record, as the previous mark was 14 set in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014.
 
Wins in the right direction
The Royals completed their regular season at 27-13 overall, which equates to a 0.675 winning percentage. Prior to this season, Bethel's previous best winning percentage was .647 set back in 1997. BU needs one win over the weekend to secure the program's best winning percentage in a single-season.
 
Circle me Karli
When you survey junior pitcher Karli Persson's season stats, you'd be pleased to find a 13-5 record and a 2.29 ERA in 119.0 innings pitched. But if you were to look even closer, you'd notice that Persson has amassed an 11-1 record and a 1.50 ERA in 74.2 innings pitched against conference opponents. Additionally, MIAC hitters have tallied a .213 batting average in 22 league games.
 
Can I get an encore?
Despite missing 12 games early in the season due to injury, 2013 MIAC Player of the Year Angie Jackson has made the most of her 28 games played. Bethel's shortstop manufactured a .412 batting average, .478 on-base percentage, and a .660 slugging mark, with six home runs, 36 runs, and 18 runs batted in. A two-time All-American, Jackson has yet to miss a league game and as a result is among the Top 3 across the conference in several categories in conference play. Included are her 33 runs (1st), 58 total bases (1st), six home runs (2nd), .442 batting average (2nd), .506 on-base percentage (3rd), and .753 slugging percentage (3rd).
 
Setting a standard
Many teams across the country can credit their success to either pitching or hitting, but the Royals are among the few, as they have been effective at both the plate and the pitcher's mound. Collectively, Bethel is hitting over .300 with seven players batting .323 or better. Meanwhile, BU's pitching staff has accumulated a team ERA of 2.63 with four pitchers all under 3.00. The program's best-ever team earned run average of 2.56 was set back in 2009 and Bethel hopes to break yet another program record.
 
Speed demon
Bethel speedster Jessica Brown has already recorded 20 steals this season, which ranks No. 3 on the all-time list for single season steals. Brown needs three more to tie the program record and four to break it. On the season, Brown is hitting .328 and is 20-for-24 in stolen base attempts.
 
Eyes on the prize
The Royals lead the league in both walks (68) and players hit-by-pitch (21), which has led to 89 free passes in conference play. Kelsey Anderson, who leads the team in RBI's (35), also leads Bethel in walks (18), while Micayla Moore leads the team in hit-by-pitches (9).
 
Three of a kind
Bethel's three offensive leaders have helped the Royals finish second among conference teams in runs, RBI's, and home runs. Collectively, Angie Jackson, Kelsey Anderson, and Caroline Kivisto have amassed 107 runs, 130 hits, 21 doubles, 19 home runs, and 84 runs batted in.