MANKATO, Minn. – The Bethel University softball team opened the 2022 campaign with shutout wins over Wisconsin-Stout, 6-0, and Wisconsin-La Crosse, 8-0.
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Izzy Wilhelm led the offense going 4-for-7 with a pair of runs six RBIs and four stolen bases. In the circle,
Kayla Simacek picked up both wins tossing a combined 12 innings of shutout ball. She struck out 16, walked one and surrendered eight hits.
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Game 1 | Bethel 6, Wisconsin-Stout 0
Wilhelm stole the show in game one playing a factor in all six of BU's runs. She allowed
Allie Fauth to score the first run of the season getting in a pickle between first and second. Fauth was able to score from third after she kicked off the game reaching on an error.
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In the second, Wilhelm's two-RBI single to left made it 3-0 before she made her way to third after stealing second and advancing then on the throwing error.
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Moments later she stole home making it 4-0.
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In the circle, Simacek kept the Bluedevils off the board forcing them to strand two in the third before retiring the side in the fourth and fifth.
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Wilhelm drove in BU's final two runs with a double in the fourth and single through the left side in the sixth.
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Rylie Perkins tossed a 1-2-3 seventh combining with Simacek for the shutout.
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Game 2 | Bethel 8, Wisconsin-La Crosse 0
Wilhlem picked up right where she left off driving in BU's first two runs of the game. She then put the Royals up 3-0 crossing home plate as
Kayla Hokanson reached on an error.
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Cortney Hokanson tallied BU's first triple of the game scoring
Mikaela Girard making it 5-0.
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Simacek retired 12 of the first 13 she faced while striking out 11 through six innings of work.
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Allie Fauth finished her 3-for-5 game with a two-RBI triple in the seventh.
Ella Roberts closed out the game with a scoreless seventh combining with Simacek for the shutout.
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UP NEXT
The Royals are back in action on Friday, March 4 taking on Buena Vista in a non-conference doubleheader inside the Dundas Dome. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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