After completing a perfect MIAC season with a 20-0 record, and capturing back-to-back MIAC regular season titles, the No. 9th-ranked Bethel University softball team is set to host the semifinals and championship game of the 2023 MIAC Softball Playoffs.
The defending playoff champion Royals will take on fourth-seeded Gustavus Adolphus (24-17, 14-7 MIAC) Saturday morning at 11 a.m. in the first semifinal of the day. The second semifinal of the day scheduled for 1:30 p.m. will be between second-seeded Saint Benedict (25-7, 16-6 MIAC) and third-seeded St. Olaf (21-19, 14-7 MIAC).
The two semifinal winners will meet in the championship game slated for 4 p.m. or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the second semifinal game.
MIAC SOFTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Game 1: No. 4 Gustavus 4, No. 5 St. Catherine 1 | Box Score |
Game 2: No. 3 St. Olaf 3, No. 6 Saint Mary's 2 | Box Score |
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Game 3: No. 4 Gustavus at No. 1 Bethel | 11:00 AM
Game 4: No. 3 St. Olaf vs. No. 2 Saint Benedict (at Bethel) | 1:30 PM
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 (at Bethel) | 4:00 PM
PARKING
Fans will be directed to park in the West and East Lot when arriving on campus. ADA parking and handicap spots can be found up in the Ona Orth Parking Lot. Click here for a campus map.
With Bethel also hosting the MIAC Track and Field Championship on Saturday, fans are encouraged to arrive early to allow extra time for parking. Shuttles will be avaiable for fans to ride from the East Parking Log.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
• BU is making its third consecutive MIAC Playoff appearance and eighth overall.
• The Royals are 10-12 (.455) all-time in conference playoff games.
• It's the third time Bethel has earned the top seed (2015, 2022 2023), they are 3-2 as the top dog.
• The Royals hoisted the playoff trophy for the first-time last season after defeating second-seed St. Olaf 5-0 in the championship game. BU defeated fourth-seeded St. Catherine 5-2 in the semifinals.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• The Royals are 20-36 all-time against the Gusties and are currently on a six-game winning streak. The Royals swept this year's series at Ona Orth back on April 8. BU walked it off in game one, 1-0, before taking the night cap 4-2.
• Against Saint Benedict, BU is 28-24 all-time having swept the regular season meeting to put them on a three-game winning streak over the Bennies.
• BU holds a 25-26 all-time mark against the Oles. A sweep in this year's matchup's puts them on a five-game winning streak.
ROYAL NOTES
• Entering the tournament, BU is on a 21-game winning streak which is two wins shy of tying the single-season record.
• Head coach
Penny Foore is three wins shy of the 200-career win mark currently boasting a 197-114 (.633) record in nine seasons. It's her second straight season of 30-plus wins and she has eclipsed the 25-win mark in five seasons.
• The Bethel defense has been near perfect boasting a .976 fielding percentage which ranks fifth nationally and second in the conference behind Saint Ben's.
• BU is a threat on the basepaths with their 98 stole bases that leads the MIAC and is 25th nationally.
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Kayla Simacek has tossed 25 complete games (second in DIII) while leading the nation in strikeouts with 303.
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