CROOKSTON, Minn. - Bemidji State dropped game one of a doubleheader against NSIC foe Minnesota-Crookston 6-4 despite home runs from a pair of freshmen Jamie Docken (Owatonna, Minn) and Michelle Taylor (St. Michael, Minn.). The Beavers came back in game two to pound out a season-high 14 hits winning easily, 8-1.

Game one saw UMC get on the board in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly. The Beavers were unable to answer until the third inning, where they picked up three runs. Bemidji State had the first three batters of the inning reach base, highlighted by Taylor’s first career home run to start the inning. Katie Gardas (Sr.; Arden Hills, Minn.) notched an RBI single scoring Alaina Ryberg (Jr.; Hudson, Wis.) and Heather Kaskinen moved a runner home on a ground out to cap the rally for the Beavers.

Both teams went scoreless in the fourth and fifth, but the Golden Eagles were the first to break the silence scoring two runs in the sixth to retake the lead 4-3. UMC picked up four hits in the inning including a triple.

BSU tied the score in the top of the seventh on a round-tripper by Docken. The home run was the first of Docken’s young career.

With the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Beaver pitcher Andrea Schue walked the first batter of the inning. This led to UMC’s Lisa Erickson, who stepped to the plate and promptly hit a walk-off home run to end the game with a 6-4 victory.

Docken lead the Beavers with three hits, including a seventh-inning homer. Gardas and Taylor each chipped in with two hits including Taylor’s third-inning home run.

On the hill for the Beavers, Schue went all six innings giving up nine hits and six runs.

After both teams went scoreless in the first inning of game two, the Beavers got on the board with a three-run second inning. Mandy Bambrough (Jr.; Toronto, Ont.) singled to start off the inning and was followed with a double by catcher Missy Schleicher (Fr.; Waupun, Wis.). Both runners would scored on consecutive passed balls by the Golden Eagles to put BSU up 2-0. Later in the inning Taylor roped an RBI single into right field, scoring Gardas.

With a 3-0 lead the Beavers would never look back only giving up one run the Golden Eagles, which came in the third inning. The

In the fourth, the Beavers tacked on three more runs, starting with a single by Ryberg which knocked in two. Later in the inning, Docken singled to score Ryberg, who had moved to second on an error by the centerfielder.

Taylor continued her hot day with an RBI double in the fifth inning. BSU would bring one more runner plateward in the sixth on an RBI fielder’s choice by Gardas.

Ryberg had one of her best outings of the year on the mound for Bemidji State. She worked all seven innings, giving up just one run and scattering seven hits to pick up the win.

Taylor ended the game with three hits to give her a 5-for-6 day, while Schleicher also picked up three hits in the night cap. Gardas, Bambrough and Ryberg each picked up two hits in the game.

The win moved BSU’s season record to 3-21 (2-6 NSIC).

The Beavers next games come as a doubeheader at home when they play host to the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Thursday, April 21, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
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