CIERA FLORES AND MILLENNI LUCERO NAMED TO NAIA SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

June 3, 2021

LINDSBORG - Following a historic run to the final four of the NAIA Softball World Series a pair of Bethany College Swedes have been named to the all tournament team. Ciera Flores and Millenni Lucero were the two Swedes chosen for All Tournament honors. Shortstop Ciera Flores earned the honor after batting .363 (4-11) in five games at the NAIA World Series. Flores hit two home runs and had three RBIs. She also scored a pair of runs and drew five walks. Millenni Lucero was selected following a World Series performance that her hit .400 (4-10) and score four runs. Lucero also walked twice and was twice hit by a pitch. Additionally Lucero went 3 for 4 on stolen base attempts and played exhilerating defense in left field for the Swedes. 

The 2019 defending national champions, Southern Oregon battled though elimination bracket winning five games straight to earn the 2021 Red Banner. The Raiders defeated Oregon Tech 3-2 forcing the if necessary game and then defeated the Owls, 7-5 in nine innings to claim the second victory. 


The two teams both call the state of Oregon home, with their campuses separated by just 66 miles the Cascade Collegiate Conference rivals played on the big stage Wednesday night. This was the first conference matchup in the national championship game since 2014. Prior to the first pitch Southern Oregon led the series against Oregon Tech 3-2.


This was the first championship game to go to extra innings since 2012. Opponents from the same conference hadn't matched up in the final since 2014, and SOU became just the second of the last 12 champions to come out of the elimination bracket to win it.

No. 1 Southern Oregon prevailed yet winning their fourth elimination game and forced the winner-take-all finale. The 3-2 victory snapped the Owls 14-game win streak. Both teams started out strong at the plate. Oregon Tech scored first off a Southern Oregon error at left field. Southern Oregon also scored one fun in the first piecing together two hits. The score remained 1-1 until the bottom of the fifth when Southern Oregon took their first lead of the day. Avery Morehead-Hutsell started the Raiders off with a single to short and then Hannah Shimek, Lauren Quirke and Riley Donovan all followed suite singling to total four hits. Quirke and Donovan both earned the RBIs for the inning. The Owls stopped the Raiders before further damage leaving two on base at the end of inning.

Owls attempted comeback in the top of the seventh, but fell short in the process. McKenna Armantrout singled through the gap to bring Olivia Lethlean home to make the score 3-2. Southern Oregon defense stopped the Owls leaving three on base and forcing the if necessary game. The win went to Gabby Sandoval (32-4), who finished a complete game by getting Aubrie Businger to pop out with the bases loaded in the seventh.


In the second game of the night Southern Oregon used the momentum from their win to take an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Owls strung together three hits for one run to get on the board early as well. With SOU up 5-1 and needing one final out in the bottom of the seventh Oregon Tech did not give up. They continued to battle getting five straight Owls got on base, the Owls sent 10 batters to the plate in the inning to extend the game. Three of them reached via walks, including Logan Nunes, who took a full-count fastball low with the bases loaded to force in the tying run. Sending the game into extra innings with a 5-5 score.



Riley Donovan, 2021 World Series MVP, led off the top of the ninth and muscled a 1-0 pitch at the letters over the center field fence for her eighth home run. Over seven games at the World Series, she went 11-for-17 with two home runs, two doubles and eight RBIs.

 

All-Tournament Team

Millenni Lucero, Bethany (Kan.)

Ciera Flores, Bethany (Kan.)

Veronica Pezzoni, Madonna (Mich.)

Maeson Schlaud, Madonna (Mich.)

Jess Heick, Mount Mercy (Iowa)

Jayna Witzany, Mount Mercy (Iowa)

Casson Rasmussen, Ottawa (Kan.)

Katelyn Wilfert, College of Idaho

Hattie Hruza, College of Idaho

McKenna Armantrout, Oregon Tech

Lauren Quirke, Southern Oregon

Allie Stines, Southern Oregon

Sarah Abramson, Oregon Tech

Gabby Sandoval, Southern Oregon

Kaila Mick, Oregon Tech

Hannah Shimeck, Southern Oregon

The Most Valuable Player

Riley Donovan, Southern Oregon

Bethany College Raises Over $168,000 for Student Scholarships

March 28, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAR. 28, 2025 — Bethany College raised $168,167.87 during its annual Giving Day campaign this year, with every dollar going directly to student scholarships. The support ensures more students can afford a Bethany education and take part in the life-changing opportunities that come with it. This year, the Bethany Backers campaign ran separately. Combined, both efforts brought in a total of over $240,000, surpassing last year’s collective giving total and underscoring the strong support from the Bethany and Lindsborg community. “Both Giving Day and the Bethany Backers campaign have been an incredible success,” said Hayley Samford, Director of Alumni Development and Engagement. “We are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of our alumni, friends, and supporters. We’re excited to use these funds to support the students who are here now—and those who will be joining the Bethany family soon.” If you are interested in giving and supporting Bethany College’s mission, please click here . Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Former Governor John Carlin Speaks to Bethany Education Students

March 27, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAR. 27, 2025 — Students in Professor James Baker’s Elementary Social Studies Methods class had a unique opportunity to hear from distinguished guest speakers, the Honorable John Carlin and Bethany College alumnus Ryon Carey '95, during a recent session focused on history, government, and education. The event brought together students from both Professor Baker’s course and Dr. Rana Razek’s class for an engaging discussion on the branches of government, the role of the U.S. Department of Education, and the importance of civic understanding in the classroom. Governor Carlin, who also served as the Archivist of the United States following his tenure as Kansas Governor, offered students a personal perspective on his career in public service and shared insights into the responsibilities of preserving key national documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. His reflections underscored the value of historical records in shaping democracy and educating future generations. Ryon Carey, a 1995 Bethany graduate, also contributed to the discussion, offering his perspective on leadership and public service. “It was a privilege to welcome Governor Carlin and Ryon Carey to speak with our students,” said Professor James Baker. “Opportunities like this deepen our students’ understanding of the material and remind us all of the importance of connecting real-world experience to classroom learning. I’m incredibly grateful to both of our speakers for sharing their time and insights.” You can learn more about our Education Department at bethanylb.edu/education . Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Bethany Backers Raises More Than $72,000

March 25, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAR. 25, 2025 — Bethany Backers has achieved its most successful fundraising effort to date, raising more than $72,000—more than double any previous year’s total. Thanks to the generosity of over 200 donors, these funds will directly enhance the student experience at Bethany College. Each year, Bethany Backers selects a project based on student suggestions, with donations traditionally starting at $50. A portion of the funds raised also supports student scholarships. Past projects have included creating a mock courtroom for criminal justice students, adding additional seating in campus greenspaces, and purchasing games for common areas. The first project funded by this record-breaking total will be the purchase of new cardio equipment for the college’s fitness center, providing students with upgraded resources to support their health and wellness. Additionally, because of the unprecedented amount raised, Bethany Backers will be able to complete a second project, which will be determined through a vote among this year’s donors. “On behalf of the Bethany College Alumni Association, I want to extend my enthusiastic gratitude to every Bethany Backer who contributed to the 2025 “Swedes Around The World” campaign,” said Olivia Peterson, President of the Bethany College Alumni Association and a 2013 graduate. “This year marked our most ambitious project yet, and our alumni and friends exceeded our goals! Not only will this effort provide upgraded training tools for our student-athletes but, most importantly, it will encourage and motivate all students to move their bodies!” Peterson continued, “I especially want to thank Kelly and Alan Clayton for the generous $10,000 matching grant opportunity and Angie Gaeddert for her wonderful $25,000 gift in honor of her late husband, Dr. Wade Gaeddert. Their generosity inspired others to give and helped us fund the project in full. I am humbled by the collective spirit and commitment of our community. Bethany has shaped us all—and now, we’re ensuring that future generations of Swedes have access to the same transformative experiences. The future is bright, friends! Tusen täck!” The goal is to have both projects ready to launch when students return to campus this fall. Bethany Backers extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed, making this milestone achievement possible. For more information about Alumni projects and how to get involved, visit bethanylb.edu/alumni Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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