The University of Wisconsin Superior remains in the playoff picture headed to the final week of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference regular season as the Yellowjackets split a doubleheader with Bethany Lutheran College on Sunday, falling 4-3 in game one before a 4-0 shutout victory in game two on the road in Mankato, Minnesota.

The Vikings handed UW-Superior (14-15, 7-7 UMAC) its second-straight walk-off defeat in the opening contest, as Bethany Lutheran (12-22, 6-8 UMAC) took an early 2-0 lead thanks to single runs in the first and fourth innings. The Yellowjackets made their comeback in the seventh inning with a series of extra-base hits. After junior outfielder led off with a double, she eventually came around to score on a home run by sophomore designated hitter Bailey Armstrong (Scandia, Minn/Forest Lake H.S.). Rookie Bobbi Jean Miller (Oak Grove, Minn./St. Francis H.S.) followed that up with a single, and senior pinch-runner Traci Popple (Jim Falls, Wis./Cornell H.S.) eventually came around to score on a double by sophomore catcher Gabby Gidley (Superior, Wis./Superior H.S.) to give UWS a 3-2 lead. After three walks loaded in the bases on the bottom of the inning, right fielder Cindy Pawlitschek ripped a two-out double to score two runs. She finished 3-for-4 on the day with three RBIs and a run scored.

After senior right-hander Sarah Hendrick tossed the first six innings on the day, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out two, she handed the ball off the rookie Megan Pehrson (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.) for the final frame as the Vikings touched her up for two runs on three walks and a hit in 0.2 innings. Anna Pipenhagen picked up the victory for Bethany Lutheran, striking out 12 Yellowjackets on the day.

UW-Superior 4, Bethany Lutheran 0
Game two saw a much more representative performance for Pehrson as she tossed a complete game shutout, scattering four hits and one walk while striking out four. Pipenhagen allowed one earned on four hits in three innings, and UW-Superior scored two more against reliever Christina Wickingson.

The Bethany Lutheran defense didn't hold up for its pitchers in game two, with the Yellowjackets scoring on a throwing error in the third after a single by Taipale. She would eventually come around to score on a single by junior infielder Katie White (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes H.S.) to give UWS a 2-0 lead after three. The Yellowjackets tacked on another run on an RBI single by Armstrong in the fifth, and another gaff on the infield cost the Vikings a run in the seventh as rookie Sarah Fjeran (Duluth, Minn./Marshall School) reached second thanks two errors on the same play leading off the inning, eventually coming around to score on a groundout by sophomore outfielder Saige Patrick (Steinbach, Man./St. Mary's Academy).

UP NEXT
UW-Superior won't be back in action until Saturday's regular season finale as the Yellowjackets host North Central University in UMAC play at Liebaert Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.