MANKATO, Minn. – The Yellowjacket softball team played their second and third games of their Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) series with Bethany Lutheran Wednesday.
 
In game one the Yellowjackets opened the game with three runs, but an eight-run fourth followed by three more runs in the sixth gave BLC an 11-3 win. In game two, the Vikings regained a lead until the Yellowjackets clawed back and came within one, but Bethany shut the door and finished the conference sweep.
 
Game One Notes

• Superior got started offensively with a two-run blast from Larissa Snyder (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park). Later, Karen Balabon (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) garnered an RBI single to center field scoring MyKenzie Leccia (Somerset, Wis./Somerset), who also singled to center.
• The Vikings responded with a blast of their own in their half of the fourth, courtesy of a grand slam off the bat of Addie Ahern. Four more runs would come across off four hits, giving BLC an 8-3 lead.
• BLC scored three more in the bottom of the sixth to secure an 11-3 win.
• Both Balabon and Kylie Zwak (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) finished the day going 2-3 at the plate.
• Taking the loss in the circle was Abby Mitchell (Cloquet, Minn./Carlton), who threw 3.2 innings. Bethany Lewis (Antigo, Wis./Antigo) came in for five batters before Georgia Youngblood (Ray, Mich./Lutheran North) threw the final inning for the Yellowjackets.

 
Game Two Notes

• Bethany Lutheran struck first in the bottom of the first, as Carly Nelson singled to left field plating Bryn Weidner who drew a walk.
• Superior responded with three runs and five hits in the third. Snyder plated Peyton Bennett (Harrisburg, S.D./Harrisburg) who doubled to right field earlier, and Carly Stuckmayer (Delano, Minn./Delano) was driven in off an RBI single from Leccia. Samantha Swartz (Antigo, Wis./Antigo) hit an RBI single to right field that plated Leccia, giving the 'Jackets a 3-1 advantage.
• The Vikings scored five runs off five hits in the fourth to lead 8-3. In the sixth, the Yellowjackets garnered a pair of RBI singles courtesy of Sophia Otto (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) and Bennett to cut their lead to three at 8-5.
• In the top of the seventh, Snyder homered again before Delaney Johnson (Ellsworth, Wis./Ellsworth) hit an RBI single to left with the bases loaded. Down by just one, the Vikings were able to escape the jam and come away with an 8-7 win over Superior.
• Bennett led offensively going 3-5 with an RBI and run scored. Leccia, Swartz and Otto each had a pair of hits, as well.
• Bethany Lewis (Antigo, Wis./Antigo) drew the loss in the finale, pitching 3.2 innings. Swartz briefly entered the game before Youngblood threw the final two innings of shoutout softball.

 
The Yellowjackets are back in action this weekend as they take on Martin Luther in UMAC play. Friday's single game is set for 1 p.m. at the NBC Sports Complex.
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