MANKATO, Minn. - Wrapping up their series against Bethany Lutheran College, the University of Minnesota Morris took the first game of the day in a 3-2 victory before falling 0-1 in the second game. The Cougars move to 6-9 in conference play and will look to improve their record as they battle for playoff contention against North Central University May 3-4. 

Minnesota Morris 3, Bethany Lutheran 2

The Vikings scored their only two runs in the first inning to take a quick 2-0 lead in game one. Inching their way back into the game, the Cougars' first run came in the third as Taylor Johnson darted her way across home plate on an RBI from Alyssa Thornton. Courtney Smith was the second to score, coming in to pinch run and making her way home on a long single from Jillian Anderson. The final run of the day came when Anderson launched a double into play in the seventh inning and Thornton crossed home plate to secure the game-winning run. After a three-batter inning in the bottom of the seventh, Minnesota Morris relished the 3-2 lead over their opponent.

Thornton went a perfect 4-4 at the plate, scoring one run and earning one RBI. Anderson went 2-4 while Olivia Losee went 2-3 to aid the Cougars' cause. Johnson secured two stolen bases with her speed on the bases. In the circle for Minnesota Morris, Thornton earned four strikeouts, 10 flyouts, and seven groundouts to earn the win.

Bethany Lutheran 1, Minnesota Morris 0

With both teams going scoreless for the first five innings, the pressure was on as the game drew closer to ending. In the end, it was the Vikings who scored the lone run of the game in the sixth inning to secure the win. Hits for the Cougars came from Thornton (2), Sierra Stevens, and Kennedy Biegler. Thornton pitched her second game of the day and added four more strikeouts, nine flyouts, and five groundouts in game two.