NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Bethel University softball weathered its first elimination test defeating Concordia 5-1 before bowing out of the MIAC Playoffs with a 5-1 loss to top-seeded and No. 21-ranked St. Olaf.

The Royals finish the year 27-10 overall with a program-best .730 winning percentage surpassing its 2019 mark of .658. Other single-season program records accomplished in 2021 were 87 stolen bases and a .980 fielding percentage.

An error in the bottom of the first by Bethel extended the inning allowing the Oles to blast a three-run home run that stayed just inside the left field foul pole. St. Olaf extended its lead to 4-0 with a run in the second.

Jamie Axelberg led off the fourth with a single before moving into scoring position on a passed ball. Kayla Hokanson took the count deep before finding the gap in right field scoring Axelberg for BU's only run of the game.

The Oles tacked on another in the fifth while keeping BU off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Kayla Simacek suffered the loss giving up two earned runs, walking none and striking out five. She closes the year as BU's single-season strikeout leader with 215 and single-season ERA leader with a 1.54 mark.

Game 1: Bethel 5, Concordia 1
A pitcher's duel through the first four innings, Bethel broke through on the scoreboard with some two-out production in the fourth.

With runners at first and second, Axelberg brought in the game's first run on a single through the left side. Angela Dabu followed her up sending an 0-2 pitch up the middle scoring a pair. Sadie Hanzalik followed suit driving in Dabu on a single to center.

In the circle, Simacek had stranded a Cobbers runner on base through the first six innings. After Kyle Bergman added an insurance run on a pinch-hit double to the gap in left, Concordia denied Bethel of the shutout with a run in the seventh.

Simack improved to 16-5 with the complete game win striking out 10 and walking none.