UMAC Game of the Week: Bethany Lutheran vs. Wisconsin-Superior - Softball
The UMAC Game of the Week runs each Thursday during the conference regular season and breaks down one key matchup from one sport.
***Update***
Bethany Lutheran wins game one 4-0, Wisconsin-Superior wins game two 9-8
The Matchup
Saturday, April 7 - Bethany Lutheran College vs. University of Wisconsin-Superior, softball, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Austin Packer Dome, Austin, Minnesota
What's at Stake
- Rematch - Last season, Bethany Lutheran defeated Wisconsin-Superior in the seventh inning of the opening game of the UMAC Tournament and the Yellowjackets were eliminated as the No. 4 seed later that day. The two teams split their regular season contest a year ago with Wisconsin-Superior finishing fourth at 9-7 in the standings and Bethany Lutheran fifth at 8-8.
- Early season advantage - Both teams will likely be in a position to qualify for the postseason tournament, and these games could impact seeding down the line as the two squads were evenly matched a year ago and appear to be again this season.
Previously in Action
- Bethany Lutheran opened conference play last Thursday, March 29 with a sweep of the University of Minnesota Morris. They took game one 5-4 before winning the second 8-0 in five innings.
- Wisconsin-Superior hasn't seen action since its spring break trip in Florida on March 24. The 'Jackets finished 4-6 with two wins on the final day including a 6-2 win over Thomas College and a 5-4 win over Williams College, a team that won two games in the Division III World Series last year.
Need to Know
- Dome action - Due to excessive spring snow, the UMAC series between the Vikings and Yellowjackets will be played in the Austin Packer Dome and will be just the fourth set of conference doubleheaders played this spring. This will be the conference opener for Wisconsin-Superior.
- Pitch-for-Pitch - The Vikings and Yellowjackets are very evenly matched in several key categories at the plate and on the mound. The Vikings are hitting .266 as a team while the Yellowjackets' average sits at .265. Bethany Lutheran has a slugging percentage of .358 and Wisconsin-Superior boasts .342. On the mound, Wisconsin-Superior has a slight advantage with a 4.21 earned run average (ERA) to the Vikings' 4.82 ERA.
- Base running - One key edge for Bethany Lutheran could be base running as the Vikings own 25 stolen bases in 18 games (1.38 per game). The Yellowjackets have just five steals in 18 games (0.28 per game).
Players to Watch - Bethany Lutheran
- Eden Ambrose, Fy., OF/P - .351 avg., 13 hits, 8 RBI, 6 runs, .358 slugging, .455 OBP, 3 SB, 5 SAC
- Kaylee Mork, Fy., IF - .380 avg., 19 hits, 16 runs, 6 doubles, .500 sluggin, .456 OBP, 5-for-5 SB
- Anna Pipenhagen, Sr., P - All-UMAC last season; Pitching - 3.46 ERA, 4 wins, 63 SO, .283 Opp. Avg. 52,2 IP; Hitting - 12 hits, 16 RBI
Players to Watch - Wisconsin-Superior
- Maggie Cragg, Sr., IF - .349 avg., 15 hits, 10 runs, 4 doubles, .488 slugging
- Macy Hanson, Sr., P/OF - 1.40 ERA, 4 wins, 7 CG, 73 SO, .199 Opp. Avg.
- Saige Patrick, Sr., OF - All-UMAC last season; .372 avg., 16 hits, 5 doubles, 5 RBI, .488 slugging, .372 OBP
This game will be a "can't miss." Keep up with all the action with
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2017-18 Game of the Week Archives