MANKATO, Minn.-- North Central came up on the short end of a pair of close games on Friday night. The Rams were swept by Bethany Lutheran College in a road Upper Midwest Athletic Conference double-header with each game decided by a single run.

In game one North Central jumped out 1-0 in the first inning and eventually led 5-2 after batting in the third. But Bethany Lutheran (Mankato, Minn.) put up three in the bottom of the frame to tie the game.

BLC took the lead in the fourth held on the rest of the way. Sophomore Abbey Erzberger (Milwaukee, Wis./Heritage Christian) was 3-4 with a triple. Sophomore Amanda Roth (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) was 2-4 with a double.

The Rams jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning and led 4-2 after three frames. Bethany got a run back in the fourth and both teams went scoreless in the fifth. North Central posted a pair in the sixth but the Vikings got one back and it was 6-4 through six.

North Central recorded a lead-off walk but left the runner stranded giving the Vikings their final chance and they took advantage. BLC got a two-out triple to tie the game and the next batter reached on an error that allowed the winning run to across the plate. 

Freshman Nora Sullivan (Naperville, Ill/Matea Valley) was 2-3 with a double and 3 RBI. Abbey Erzberger was 2-4 with 2 stolen bases.

North Central will try to bounce back tomorrow with a home double-header in UMAC play. The Rams host the University of Wisconsin-Superior (Superior, Wis.) at 1 p.m.