(Story by: Zach Koenig)
Mankato, MN—After two well-played ballgames, the University of Minnesota-Morris softball team escaped their series against Bethany Lutheran with a split, dropping the first contest 5-4 but winning the second 5-1.
In the first contest, Bethany Lutheran staked themselves to a 2-0 lead in the first inning at the expense of UMM starting pitcher Emilie Kalvig (Jr. Blackduck, MN).
After three consecutive scoreless innings, the Cougars got in the run column in the fifth when Julie Rohling (So. Howard Lake, MN) singled, advanced to second base on a wild pitch, and eventually scored on Ashley Corbett’s (Jr. Forest Lake, MN) hit that was misplayed by the Bethany Lutheran shortstop.
The home team struck back right away in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring twice off Cougar relief pitcher Stephanie Wilson (So. Detroit Lakes, MN) to increase their lead to 4-1.
Minnesota-Morris responded with a run of its own in the sixth, as Diane Blommel (Fr. Long Prairie, MN) and Bailey Jelle (Jr. Lakeville, MN) singled and Blommel came around to score on Wilson’s ground-out.
UMM then finally managed to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning. Bunt singles from Emily Holstrom (Fr. Albert Lea, MN) and Taelyn Coffee (Fr. Juneau, AK) put runners on base, while the third consecutive bunt—this time from Briana Czer (Jr. New Ulm, MN)—moved the runners into scoring position. A single from Blommel then drove in both runs to tie the game at 4-4.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, however, Bethany Lutheran loaded the bases with one out. Wilson managed to record the second out of the inning on a strikeout, but the winning run came in to score on the play due to an error by UMM catcher Rohling.
Kalvig (2-9) was charged with the defeat, allowing two earned runs in three innings. Wilson pitched three and two thirds innings in relief and gave up three earned runs.
Rohling (2-3, 1 R), Jelle (2-4), and Blommel (2-4, 2 RBI, 1 R) led the offense, while Holstrom and Coffee picked up one hit apiece.
After the stinging loss in the first game, the second contest was dominated by the Cougars both on the mound and at the plate.
The offense got started in the first inning when Jelle walked and Wilson doubled her home for a quick 1-0 lead.
In the third inning, hits from Rohling and Holstrom, combined with Blommel’s hit-by-pitch and Alaina Benson’s (Sr. Clinton, MN) sacrifice bunt, gave the Cougars a 3-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, Heather Briese (Fr. Fergus Falls, MN) led off with a triple and scored on Coffee’s squeeze bunt to increase the lead to 4-0.
All the while, starting pitcher Benson held Bethany Lutheran in check, allowing just three hits and one earned run through seven innings. Benson picked up the win for her strong performance.
Minnesota-Morris tacked on a final run in the seventh inning when Wilson was hit by a pitch and eventually scored on a Bethany Lutheran error.
Heidi Miller (Fr. Eden Valley, MN) had the best individual performance at the plate, while seven other Cougars collected one hit.
After the split with Bethany Lutheran, UMM now stands at 8-18 on the season and 7-14 in the UMAC.
 | .gif) |
| Minnesota-Morris | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Bethany Lutheran | 5 | 10 | 4 |
| Completion of Game 1 from April 21st. |
Box Score
| |
| Minnesota-Morris | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| Bethany Lutheran | 5 | 9 | 2 |
| Game 1 of DH |
Box Score
| |
| Minnesota-Morris | 5 | 6 | 1 |
| Bethany Lutheran | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Game 2 of DH |
Box Score
