ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The No. 12th-ranked Bethel University softball team opened the NCAA Division III Softball Championships with a 5-1 victory over Bethany Lutheran Friday afternoon at Ona Orth Athletic Complex.
 
Junior ace Kayla Simacek tossed a two hitter where she struck out 16 Vikings, two shy of her career high, while walking none. The lone run she gave up in the seventh was unearned.
 
Bethel advances into the winner's bracket where they take on Washington University in St. Louis at Noon on Saturday. A win and the Royals are on to the regional championship on Sunday, a loss and they play again at 4:30 p.m.
 
The Royals wasted no time getting on the board as Allie Fauth doubled to left. Lexi DeBace singled before the throw from BLC was way out of reach at first allowing Fauth to come in and score.
 
BLC put its leadoff runner aboard moving her over into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Simacek stranded that runner with back-to-back strikeouts ending the threat.
 
Angela Dabu produced a pair of two-out RBIs as BU had runners at second and third. Dabu took a 2-1 pitch through the left side putting the Royals up 5-0.
 
A BLC error in the fourth brought in another Royals' run. Simacek produced eight strikeouts over the last three innings.

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