ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Bethel University softball team split its MIAC opening series at St. Catherine Saturday afternoon as the teams combined for 31 runs on 40 hits between the two games.
The Royals used a three-run sixth inning to win game one 9-4 before St. Kate's explosive fourth where they plated seven game them the nightcap 13-5 in five innings.
Game 1: Bethel 9, St. Kate's 4
The Wildcats struck first with a two-run homer but all that did was wake up the sleeping giant in what was the Royals bats.
In the third, an one-out double by
Sadie Hanzalik sparked the offense to a six run inning.
Amanda Gemuenden singled to right bringing in her team-leading 17th RBI. Back-to-back doubles from
Calli Maki and
Jamie Axelberg made it 4-2 before
Katie Stewart reached on an error extending the inning.
SCU got two back on start
Kayla Simacek with another two-run homer cutting it to 6-4. The Royals continued trusting themselves at the plate where
Rylie Perkins sent her first collegiate home run over the right field wall. Maki tacked on two more in the sixth with second triple of the year.
Simacek held on for the win forcing SCU to strand runners in scoring position through the final two frames.
Game 2: St. Kate's 13, Bethel 5 // 5 innings
Like game one there was no shortage off offense. Bethel took a 2-1 lead in the second with a pair of two-out RBI singles from its 8-9 hitters in
Kayla Hokanson and
Carli Botten.
St. Kate's took back the lead when it took advantage of a Bethel error in the third. No panic from the Royals they put up a three spot in the third capped off with a two-run shot over the fence from Hokanson.
Things feel apart in the bottom of the fourth for BU getting a fly out and a groundout while the Wildcats put runners at second and third. A pair of three-run home runs for the Wildcats put a seven spot on the board.
Up Next
Bethel continues its conference road trip Wednesday at Macalester with a doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p.m. In accordance with Macalester's spectator's policy, no fans will be allowed to attend. Follow along with live stats and live video links by visiting
Bethel's Live Coverage page.
