NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College softball team split a doubleheader against Bethany Lutheran on Saturday, winning game one 6-2, but losing game two 3-1.

GAME 1

MLC starting pitcher Kathryn Marquardt led the Knights to a 6-2 win in game one.

Marquardt held the Vikings to only two runs on five hits in a complete game effort. The defense behind her played a key role, as the Knights didn't make an error in the game, and also turned a key double play to escape a potential jam in the sixth inning.

MLC took the an early 2-0 lead, and then responded to the first BLC run (in the fourth inning) by adding one run in the fifth, and then breaking the game open with three runs in the sixth frame. 

The Knights finished the game with 11 hits. Kayla Rosenbaum, Megan Lemke and Rachel Haugly each finished with two hits apiece, while Rosenbaum led the team with three runs scored.

Marquardt improved her record to 3-5 on the season with the win.

GAME 2

The Vikings took an early lead and held on the rest of the way for a 3-1 game two win.

BLC opened the game with three consecutive triples to take a 2-0 lead after one.

That would be enough support for BLC starting pitcher Anna Pipenhagen, who held MLC to only three hits in seven innings to get the Vikings the win.

Kelli Doell started the game for MLC and took the loss, falling to 1-3 on the season after allowing three runs (all earned) on six hits in 5.0 innings. 

Jessica Friebe scored the Knights' lone run in the sixth inning off a Lemke RBI-groundout. Rosenbaum finished with two of the team's three hits.

The Knights moved their record to 6-11 overall and 3-3 in UMAC play with the split. BLC now holds a record of 5-15 this season, and 3-3 in conference play.

MLC will return to action tomorrow (Saturday, April 16) when it hosts St. Scholastica in a double header scheduled to start at 1 p.m.