ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Dominance in the circle from Calli Maki and Kayla Simacek led the way for the Bethel University softball team, sweeping No. 16th-ranked Saint Benedict in a key MIAC doubleheader.

Maki went 6.1 innings giving up one run, which was unearned, in the opener while Simacek picked up the save in the 4-1 victory. Simacek came right back out with a complete game effort in the night cap blanking the Bennies, 4-0, who had scored a combined 34 runs in their last four games.

Game 1: Bethel 4, #16 Saint Benedict 1
It went down as an upset on paper, but for those in the Navy and Vegas Gold they would tell you otherwise.

A confident Bethel team at the plate, who has been averaging eight runs a game, struck first with a two-run fourth. Jamie Axelberg double drove in Amanda Gemuenden and Calli Maki who singled and walked to lead off the inning.

Maki forced CSB to strand runners in scoring position in the first and third before the Bennies scratched an unearned run across in the fourth.

In the sixth, a sacrifice bunt executed by Axelberg set up runners at second third before Rylie Perkins drove one in. Saide Hanzalik made it 4-1 with a sacrifice fly moments later.  

The Bennies put the tying run at the plate with runners at second and third with only one out in the seventh. To the pen BU went brining in Simacek who got a pair of strikeouts and the save.

Game 2: Bethel 6, #16 Saint Benedict 0
Not much changed from game one, except the score. Simacek came right back out to the circle tossing her fifth shutout of the year and improving to 8-2.

She was nearly untouchable striking out 12 of the 25 batters faced while giving up three hits and one walk. In 16 career appearances, Simacek has struck out 107 batters.

The Royals plated a run in each of the first three innings taking advantage of three CSB errors.

Kayla Hokanson blasted her third home run of the year in the sixth before Rylie Perkins drove in a pair of insurance runs in the seventh.

Simacek capped off the win over a nationally ranked opponent retiring nine of the last 10 she faced.

Up Next
Bethel has another challenge on its hands facing off with St. Thomas who holds an identical 14-4 record and 7-1 mark in MIAC play. First pitch at Ona Orth Athletic Complex on Saturday comes at 1 p.m.