For the first time in program history the Bethel University softball team is making an appearance in the NCAA Division III Softball Championships. It gets even better as the Royals were selected to serve as a regional host site welcoming Bethany Lutheran, Washington University in St. Louis and Buena Vista.
 
The four-team regional will begin Friday afternoon with opening round games with the regional championship game taking place Sunday at noon. Saturday will feature one winner's bracket game and two elimination contests.
 
The nationally-ranked Royals are opening the tournament Friday at 4:30 p.m. against Bethany Lutheran. The first game will feature WashU versus Buena Vista with a 2 p.m. first pitch.
 
The Royals are coming off a sweep of the MIAC Champion titles taking both the regular season and playoff crowns.
 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, May 13
Game 1: #2 Buena Vista vs. #3 WashU • 2 p.m.
Game 2: #1 Bethel (MN) vs. #4 Bethany Lutheran • 4:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, May 14
Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 • Noon
Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 • 2:30 p.m.
Game 5: Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3 • 4:30 p.m.
 
Sunday, May 15
Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 • Noon
Game 7: If necessary played if team with one loss wins game six
 

Tickets

All-Sessions Ticket (good for the entire weekend)
Adults • $25
Students, Seniors, Veterans, Kids • $15

Single-Day Ticket
Adult • $10
Students, Seniors, Veterans, Kids • $7

*All tickets are general admission and CASH ONLY sales. Gates will open 60 minutes prior to the first game of the day*

Parking

Parking for spectators will be in the West Lot and complementary shuttles to the field will be offered. ADA accessible drop off and parking will take place in the Ona Orth Athletic Complex lot. Visit the tournament webpage for a visual map of parking availability. 

Bethel Softball Game Notes

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE FIELD
• Bethel has only met up twice with its first-round opponent Bethany Lutheran. The Royals and Vikings split a doubleheader back on April 24, 2006. BLC took game one 4-3 before BU took the nightcap 4-0.
• Buena Vista has taken the last three matchups from the Royals, who trail the series 3-7, two of which have reached extra innings. The Royals and Beavers met very early in the season where BVU took both ends on an indoor doubleheader inside the Dundas Dome. Game one took nine innings to decide in a 2-1 pitcher's duel while the Beavers bats prevailed in game two 11-8. Prior to 2022 you have to go all the way back to 2014 for the next matchup where the two teams split inside the Rosemount Dome in Chicago, Ill. Should the teams meet this weekend it will be their first matchup outdoors since meeting up in Arden Hills on April 14, 2006.
• The Royals and Washington University in St. Louis will play their first-ever meeting should they faceoff this weekend. 

THE SIMACEK FILE
• Recently named to the NFCA Player/Pitcher of the Year Top 25 Finalist list, junior right-hander Kayla Simacek has made herself known around the nation for her dominant pitching. Coming into the weekend she ranks first nationally in wins (31) and strikeouts (295). She is sixth nationally with eight shutouts and seventh with an 0.83 ERA.
• She hasn't allowed to many free passes allowng 0.55 walks per seven innings of work ranking sixth nationally. In 211.1 innings of work, hitters against her have only drawn 20 walks.
• Prior to the MIAC Playoffs, she closed the regular season having given up one wlk over the final 39 innings of work. 

FAST ON THE BASE PATHS
• On the base paths, the Royals have swiped a single-season record 122 bases averaging just under four stolen bases a game that ranks sixth nationall. BU has recorded a single-game record 10 stolen bases on two separate occasions. Both coming on the road in games at Macalester (4/2) and Gustavus Adolphus (4/9). On the contrary not to many opponents get the chance to run on them having gone 11-21 on stolen base attempts.
• Allie Fauth has swiped a program single-season record 39 bases this year ranking ninth among all DIII players.

NOT ON THEIR WATCH
• Not to many runners trying to score from second on a base hit or a tag up from third have had much luck on the Bethel outfielders. From left to right starters Angela Dabu, Lexi DeBace and Allie Fauth have picked up a combined 15 assists.
• The Royals have only allowed 61 runs this season while crossing the plate 227 times themselves. 

HOME SWEET HOME
• The last 15 games Bethel has played in have taken place at the friendly confines of Ona Orth Athletic Complex. In that stretch the Royals have gone 13-2 with conference losses to Saint Ben's & St. Kate's.
• This year at home the Royals are 14-2 and are 32-10 over the last three full seasons.