MOORHEAD, Minn. – For only the second and third time this season, the Bethel University softball team hung on for a one-run advantage when all was said and done. The Royals stay atop the MIAC standings following a road sweep at Concordia by scores of 3-2 and 1-0.
A three-run third aided the Royals in the opener before Kayla Simack picked up win No. 17 in the circle in game two with a 15-strikeout shutout performance.
Game 1 | Bethel 3, Concordia-M'Head 2
A pitcher duel in the opener saw the host Cobbers have the lone hit through the first four innings. Simacek had struck out eight to that point giving up only a double in the first.
Bethel put a pair on with one out thanks to an error in the outfield by the Cobbers. A groundout a batter later put them both in scoring position with two away.
Autumn Earney extended the inning reaching on a Cobber error that allowed both runners to score giving BU a 2-0 lead.
Earney swiped third before Alle Fauth legged out a beautiful bunt that scored Earney.
The Cobbers first three hitters reached in the bottom of the seventh. Veteran ace Simacek showed no panic striking out the next two hitters. But the Cobbers seven hitter doubled to left center before an incredible relay throw from
Lexi DeBace to
Jamie Axelberg to
Cortney Hokanson nailed the tying run at the plate.
Game 2 | Bethel 1, Concordia-M'head 0
Game two proved to be just as much of a nail bitter and a pitcher's duel in the circle with each team only collecting four hits.
The Cobbers put two in scoring position off a Bethel error before a groundout ended the threat. Bethel in the fourth also got a runner to third but was unable to produce a run.
BU finally broke through on the scoreboard in the sixth. A two-out single form
Izzy Wilhelm down the left field line allowed pinch runner Emily Poncin to score from second.
Once again Concordia put the tying run on base in the seventh but this time Simacek finished the work all by herself giving the Royals their 16th straight victory with back-to-back strikeouts.
Up Next
Bethel will take a day off before returning back to the diamond on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. against the College of Saint Benedict. Wednesday will also be Most Valuable Professor Day where the Royals were honor Bethel faculty!
