DULUTH, Minn. – The Bethel University softball team will be making a fifth straight trip to the MIAC Playoffs after sweeping St. Scholastic Sunday afternoon. Behind Abby Otterness' 4-for-5 game and a dominant performance from Dominique Walicke in the circle, BU took game one 9-1. A three-run first in game two paced Bethel to a 7-1 win.
 
Bethel improves to 18-17 on the year and 12-8 in conference play.
 
Game 1: Bethel 9, St. Scholastica 1
Walicke fell one strikeout shy of her season-high, fanning seven batters while only walking one. She gave up three hits, two of which came in the bottom of the second, where CSS plated its only run of the game.
 
Otterness drove in her first run of the game in the third before BU went up 2-1 with the execution of a double steal that scored Autumn Earney.
 
A four spot in the fifth for the Royals was highlighted by Ellie Baker's two-RBI double to center. She scored making it 6-1 on an Olivia Weinberg single to left.
 
Otterness scored in the sixth off a single up the middle from Sidney Bartels before notching an inside the park home run in the seventh that officially went down as a triple and advancing home on a throwing error.
 
Game 2: Bethel 7, St. Scholastica 1
In game two, Otterness and Earney went a combined 4-for-7 with three runs and Earney driving in a pair.
 
BU plated three in the first which was sparked by a two-RBI triple from Bartels to left.
 
The Saints only run came in the second and was an unearned run after a BU error extended the inning.
 
Earney drove in BU's lone run in the fourth with a double before notching a sacrifice fly in the sixth. A bases-loaded walk to Brianna Tix brought in another run.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals head to UW-River Falls for a non-conference twin bill matchup on Tuesday (4/29). The first game is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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