April 17, 2006

By Sarah Hawbaker, Bethany Sports Information (Edits by Dawn Harmon, NAIA)

LINDSBORG, Kan.-- Bethany College (Kan.) sophomore Holly Finkbeiner (Russell, Kan.) pitched a shut-out, no-hitter in a 9-0 nightcap against Tabor College (Kan.) on April 11. 

The opening game of the double header saw Finkbeiner pitch seven innings with seven strike-outs, one earned run, six hits and one walk. Bethany won the contest 5-2.

In the nightcap, Finkbeiner pitched a five-inning game, had two strike-outs, allowed no earned runs, no hits and only two walks. The Swedes again came out on top 9-0.

 "Finkbeiner has really improved from last season and has gained more confidence in her pitching," said Bethany College Head Softball coach Janice Esses.

The sophomore has continued to gain speed on her fastball and has developed greater movement in her pitching.

"She worked ahead in the count, which allowed her not to have to throw so many pitches," Esses said. 

Finkbeiner was supported by a tremendous and errorless defense.

As a team the Swedes are 7-1 in conference play, tied for first place in the KCAC with Friends University. Overall, Bethany is 22-11. 

For the past three years, Bethany has had 16 all-conference players, four NAIA Region IV scholar athletes and two NAIA All-Region IV players. In 2003, the Swedes won the regular season conference title and the conference tournament and represented the conference in the NAIA Region IV Tournament.       

Bethany College competes in 15 intercollegiate sports in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.  Since 1902, Bethany has won 136 conference championships.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service.