ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University softball team is moving on to the MIAC Semifinals following a 7-2 win over sixth-seeded Macalester Thursday afternoon at Ona Orth Athletic Complex.
 
Freshmen Abby Otterness and Camryn Thurow led the Bethel offense going a combined 6-for-8 with four runs and driving in five. Thurow scored BU's first two runs while Otterness added a three-run homer in the sixth.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Camryn Thurow put Bethel on the scoreboard in the top of the first scoring Abby Otterness from second. Thurow's hard chopper got past the diving shortstop as Otterness legged her way home just avoiding the tag at the plate.  
• The Scots evened it back up at 1-1 scoring their leadoff double in the second on a dropped third strike where BU threw down to first.
• Thurow drove in her second run of the game to spark a three-run third for the Royals. Two batters later, Cortney Hokanson found the bottom of the fence in left-center scoring two more and putting the Royals up 4-1.
• Macalester in the fourth had its first two batters reach before Kayla Simacek got a strikeout for the first out. The Scots loaded the bases as BU couldn't get the go-ahead runner. A deep fly to center scored one for MAC, making it 4-2, before Simacek got a strikeout ending the threat.
• Otterness provided the fireworks in the sixth with her sixth home run clearing the center field fence.  
• Simacek struck out the first two she faced in the seventh bringing her total to 10 for the game.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals now take on seconded-seeded Saint Benedict in the semifinals hosted by Saint Mary's. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. with the winner moving to the championship game right after.  

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