ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The No. 17th-ranked Bethel University softball team got back in the win column with a sweep of St. Catherine Thursday afternoon at Ona Orth Athletic Complex. A seven-run third lead to a 13-2 run rule victory in game one before a three-run home run from Abby Otterness led them to a 4-1 game two win.
 
Otterness went 4-for-7 on the day with a pair of home runs, scoring three times and driving in six.

The Royals improve to 19-7 on the year and 8-4 in MIAC games. 
 
Game 1: #17 Bethel 13, St. Catherine 2 (5 innings)
• Otterness got the fireworks going in the Royals' first plate appearance sending a shot deep off the top of the center field fence and over for a two-run blast.
• The Royals made a leadoff walk to Camryn Thurow in the second haunt the Wildcats. With two outs, Mandalyn Franks sent a rocket over the left fielder's head one hoping the fence and scoring Thurow to make it 3-0.
• BU exploded for seven runs on seven hits in the third. Highlighting the inning was a two RBI double to right by Mikaela Girard which kicked started the frame. Autumn Earney wrapped up the scoring with a single to center that scored a pair.
• SCU got two back in the fourth before the Royals added three more in the bottom half.
• In the circle, Kayla Simacek pitched three scoreless innings giving up one run and striking out seven. Out of the pen Rylee Blandin tossed the final two innings giving up two unearned runs while striking out two.
 
Game 2:
• St. Kate's provided the game's first run scoring its leadoff double with a double to the gap in right two batters later.
• Cortney Hokanson notched a leadoff double in the second before Kayla Hokanson singled on a sharp liner to center putting runners at the corners. A sacrifice from Franks moved Kayla Hokanson into scoring position before a groundout by DeBace made it two outs.
• With two runners in scoring position, Otterness belted her second home run of the day, this time to left center putting the Royals ahead 3-1.   
• Simacek was rolling in the circle giving up a scattered four hits after the opening frame. She struck out eight and walked none while earning career win No. 102 in the circle.
 
UP NEXT
Bethel hits the road on Saturday, April 20 traveling to Concordia. The MIAC doubleheader in Moorhead is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.


 
  Read Full Article