ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Top seeded and the No. 12th ranked Bethel University softball team captured its first-ever MIAC Playoff title shutting out second-seeded St. Olaf, 5-0, Saturday afternoon at Ona Orth Athletic Complex.
Bethel receives the league's automatic bid to the 64-team NCAA Tournament field. The Royals will find out their regional site and opening round matchup Monday during the selection show on
NCAA.com at 12 p.m. central time.
Junior ace
Kayla Simacek tossed the complete game shutout effort giving up five hits while striking out one.
The Royals top three hitters in
Allie Fauth,
Lexi DeBace and
Mikaela Girard accounted for all five runs.
Izzy Wilhelm went 2-for-3 in the nine slot of the lineup.
Bethel (33-4) wasted no time getting on the board. Fauth led off the game being hit by the first pitch before swiping second. The Royals caused some chaos after
Lexi DeBace walked and a wild pitch got both runners moving. A misplay by St. Olaf (24-18) that resulted in an error allowed Fauth to score.
A batter later Girard sent a fly ball deep enough to left allowing DeBace to make it 2-0.
Simacek allowed just two hits through the next four frames before the Royals put up a three spot in the fifth sending all nine hitters to the plate.
Another walk to DeBace loaded them up before St. Olaf got an out at the plate the next play.
Kayla Hokanson sent a high fly ball off the edge of the infield knicking off a St. Olaf glove allowing a pair of runs to come in.
Cortney Hokanson roped a single through the left side scoring Girard making it 5-0.
The Oles threatened in the seventh getting their first three aboard. A big-time defensive play by DeBace in center completed the double play throwing out a runner at the plate who was attempting to tag on the play. A grounder over to short and a perfect throw from
Jamie Axelberg ended the threat and initiated the celebration.
