BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Baseball Field) - After dropping two games to Southwest Minnesota State
University (SMSU) on Saturday, Bemidji State came out ready
to play on Sunday. With the assistance of a five-run fifth
inning in game one and a five-run fourth inning in game two,
BSU swept both games of the double-header. With the 6-3 win
in game one and a 7-3 win in game two, BSU improves to 4-29
(3-9 NSIC) while SMSU dropped to 14-13 (9-5 NSIC).
Game one proved to be a pitchers dual in the first four innings
with the Mustangs gaining a slight advantage with a one-run
in the second inning. SMSU would strike again in the top of
the fifth, scoring one run to take a 2-0 lead, but Bemidji
State would turn things around when they stepped to the plate
in the bottom half of the fifth.
Senior Jarad Podraza (Carter Lake, Iowa) led off the fifth
by reaching on an error. After sophomore Eric Pilgram (Park
Rapids, Minn.) struck out, sophomore Matt Pesta (Long Prairie,
Minn.) hit a two-run home run to even things up. Another run
would cross the plate for BSU on a senior Michael Nordyke
(Ukiah, Calif.) double that drove in junior Matt Asche (Durango,
Minn.). Nordyke himself would be the fourth run of the inning
on another two-run home run, this time from junior Matt Middendorf
(Sauk Centre, Minn.)
Junior Chuck Erlandson (Moorhead, Minn.) got his first win
of the season. Erlandson started game one for BSU and went
5.0 innings allowing just two runs on six hits while striking
out four. With the win, Erlandson moves to 1-4 on the season
while freshman Tony Meech (Sebeka, Minn.) collected his first
save of the season. Meech pitch 2.0 innings for the Beavers
and allowed just one unearned run.
After a strong finish in game one, BSU was eager to get game
two underway. Bemidji State wasted no time, getting on the
board first in the bottom of the first on a double-play that
scored Nordyke from third.
The Mustangs tied the game in the top of the third when Nordyke
lost a fly ball in the sun. The ball fell in, giving Derek
Rignell a double that scored Bryan Kramer. With the game tied
Bemidji State allowed SMSU to the lead when a ball-four, wild
pitch allowed Rignell to run home. The Mustangs threatened
to score even more in the third with the bases loaded and
two outs when junior Dan Wagner (Campton, N.H.) struck out
SMSU’s pinch-hitter, Joey Huey, to end the inning.
After a quick bottom half of the fourth, BSU brought in sophomore
Bryant Salamone (Rockford, Ill.) to pitch. Salamone allowed
yet another SMSU run to cross the plate after a wild pitch
reached the back stop.
Trailing by two going into the bottom of the fourth, Bemidji
State made it known that they were not going to give in as
Podraza led of the inning with a solo home run to bring BSU
back within one. The next batter, Pilgrim, doubled off the
fence in left field before scoring on a single by Pesta. Pesta
crossed the plate shortly thereafter from third on a double
by Nordyke.
Following the double by Nordyke, SMSU replaced their starting
pitcher, Tom Bendzick, with Aaron Lindstrom. Lindstrom inherited
two base runners, allowing both of them to score later in
the inning. A single that slipped through the left side of
the infield scored sophomore Joe Ferguson (Robbins, Calif.)
and placed the other inherited base runner, Nordyke, on third.
BSU then loaded the bases when a confused SMSU defence allowed
junior Tony Klaers (Elk River, Minn.) to reach first on a
fielders choice. With the bases loaded, junior John Grindeland
(Moorhead, Minn.) singled to right, plating Nordyke.
Lindstrom struck out Pilgrim to end the inning but the damage
had already been done as BSU tallied five runs on seven hits
in the fourth to take the lead for good, not allowing the
Mustangs to score another run on the afternoon.
SMSU had their chances to score runs, leaving a total of 14
runners on base throughout game two. BSU, however, combined
solid pitching with a strong defensive performance, leaving
SMSU with the bases load in four of the seven innings.
Picking up the win for Bemidji State in game two was Salamone
(1-2). Salamone went 2.1 innings allowing just one run on
two hits in relief. Middendorf moved from short stop to pitcher
in the sixth inning to pick up his first save of the season.
Bemidji State will return to action as they wrap-up their
14-game home stand in non-conference play against the St.
Cloud State University Huskies on Tuesday at the BSU Baseball
Field. The first pitch of the double-header is slated for
1:00 p.m. with game two getting underway approximately 20
minutes after the completion of game one.
--bsu--
