ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Bemidji State University softball team was held to just one run in the two games completed at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Crossover in Aberdeen, S.D., on Saturday. The Beavers lost 4-0 to Concordia-St. Paul and 6-1 to Wayne State College before having their final game of the day postponed due to weather. BSU trails Southwest Minnesota State by a score of 6-0 in the fifth inning of a game that will be concluded Sunday at 1 p.m.

In the Beavers’ first game of the day, CSP pitcher Mandy Turba allowed just one BSU hit, a single by Ashley Leopold (Fr., INF, Afton, Minn.) in the third inning. Turba struck out five and walked three in a complete-game, shutout victory.

BSU hurler Alison Willard (So., Hutchinson, Minn.) pitched well for the Beavers allowing just four runs on five hits in the complete-game effort. Willard (4-7) struck out four and walked five in the game.

Bemidji State’s second game of the day seemed to follow the script of the first game. The Beavers couldn’t find the offense to support starter Kristen Paine (Jr., P, Chisholm, Minn.). Paine pitched the first five innings, allowing just three runs (one earned) on one hit and striking out three Wayne State batters.

But, the Wildcats took advantage of two BSU defensive miscues scoring two unearned runs in the first four innings to take a 3-0 lead. WSC then added three more runs in the top half of the sixth inning before the Beavers posted a run.

In the bottom of the sixth, Katie Prettyman (So., OF, International Falls, Minn.) provided BSU’s only offense of the game with a solo home run. The blast was the first of the year for Prettyman, and the first of her young career at Bemidji State.

Willard pitched the last two innings of the game giving up three runs on two hits, while walking three and striking out two. Paine took the loss for BSU, dropping her record to 2-7 on the season.

Bemidji State (6-17) will resume play in the fifth inning of the game against Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Beavers trail in that game by a score of 6-0. Immediately following the conclusion of the SMSU-BSU game, the Beavers will take on Winona State. Then, later in the day, BSU will battle the Peacocks of Upper Iowa University.

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