AUSTIN, Minn. - The Martin Luther College softball team lost both games of its doubleheader against Bethany Lutheran College at the Packer Dome on Thursday morning by the scores of 9-0 (five innings) and 4-3.

BLC 9, MLC 0 (5 innings)

The Vikings opened the day with a 9-0 win in five innings.

The Knights allowed a pair of runs in the first two innings, and then were unable to slow the BLC bats as the Vikings batted around in the fourth frame for seven more runs.

MLC threatened in the first two innings thanks to doubles by Erika Rosenbaum and Samantha Schoch, but the Knights were unable to bring them in to score against BLC pitcher Anna Pipenhagen.

Morgan Palubick (2-5) took the loss for MLC after allowing six runs (four earned) in 3.1 innings.

BLC 4, MLC 3

MLC was unable to hold on to a three-run lead in the seventh inning as the Vikings came from behind to secure the sweep with a 4-3 win.

Rebecca Pruss (1-6) was dominant to start, holding BLC hitless through four innings. The MLC offense gave her a lead in the third inning as Kayla Rosenbaum singled home Audrey Timm, and then Samantha Schoch hit a two-out, two run double to give MLC a 3-0 lead.

The Knights held that three-run lead into the seventh, but struggled make defensive plays behind Pruss as the Vikings rallied to score four runs on three hits and two errors. Aimee Ashman reached third base with zero outs in the bottom half of the inning, but wasn't able to score the tying run.

Pruss went the distance on the mound and took the loss for MLC, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits in seven innings.

MLC fell to 3-11 on the season and 2-4 in UMAC play in defeat. BLC improved to 10-14 overall and 5-3 in UMAC play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, April 21, when they travel to Northwestern for a doubleheader.