GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Kraft Field) - The Bemidji State University baseball team traveled to Grand Forks, N.D. today to play a nonconference doubleheader against the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Bemidji State out hit the Sioux on the day 21-to-18 but found themselves on the losing end dropping Game 1, 6-7 and Game 2, 2-7.

The Fighting Sioux jumped out to a 3-0 lead through two innings of play in Game 1. Andrew Gudmunson hit a two out double that platted two runs for North Dakota to give them a 2-0 advantage. The Fighting Sioux added pushed their third run across the plate on a RBI single by Mike Lundeen to give them a three run lead.

Bemidji State closed the gap to just a one run lead in the third inning. The Beavers rallied with two outs, Rich Bohannan (Goodyear, Ariz.) started the rally with a walk and Anthony Stoloski (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) followed with a single to right center. Josh Juntunen (Elk River, Minn.) drove in Bohannan and Stoloski on his eight double of the season to bring the score to 3-2 in favor of the Fighting Sioux. The Beavers tied the contest at 3-3 in the top of the fourth inning on a single RBI single by Josh Silvernagel (Bismarck, N.D.).

North Dakota answered scoring two runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth to regain a three run lead at, 6-3. Lundeen came through again for the Fighting Sioux hitting a two RBI double to left center in the fourth and Chris Gulsvig score the lone run for the Fighting Sioux in the fifth inning.

Bemidji State battled back once again to tie the contest at 6-6. BSU scored two runs in the sixth inning and then platted one run in the top of the seventh inning to even the score. Silvernagel and Bohannan picked up the RBI’s for the Beavers in the sixth inning and Jake Kluver (Little Falls, Minn.) scored the tying run for the Beavers on a wild pitch.

Tim Burns played hero for North Dakota, Burns hit a double to left center field to plate the game winning run for the Fighting Sioux.

Gary Molck (East Grand Forks, Minn.) started for the Beavers on the mound. Molck gave up five runs (five earned) on seven hits. Tony Meech (Menahga, Minn.) made the lone relief appearance for the Beavers allowing two runs (two earned) on three hits in just 2 1/3 innings of work. Meech picked up the loss dropping his record to 2-4 on the season.

Cody Randt pitched four solid innings for North Dakota surrendering three runs (two earned) on five hits with four strikeouts. Jameson Benson and Sean Cooley made relief appearances for North Dakota. Benson pitched two innings allowing two runs (two earned) on four hits and Cooley pitched one inning allowing one run (one earned) on two hits with one strikeout. Cooley picked the win, improving his record to 3-3.

North Dakota leaped out to a 7-0 lead in Game 2 through five innings of play scoring one run in the first, two runs in the third, three runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth inning.

Andrew Gudmunson hit a sacrifice fly to give the Fighting Sioux a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Gudmunson answered again in the third inning when he singled down the left field line to plate the runners from second and third. The Fighting Sioux pushed its lead to 6-0 in the fourth inning. Scott Schmidt hit a two out single that platted two runs and then scored on Nate Meissner’s two out double. North Dakota took advantage of a Bemidji State error in the fifth inning. Chris Gulsvig reached on a throwing error by

Bemidji State third baseman Shaun Corbett (Mora, Minn.). Gulsvig would eventually score on a single by Bo Stanley to give North Dakota a 7-0 lead through five innings.

Bemidji State broke up the shutout in the sixth inning on a RBI single by Eric Pilgrim (Park Rapids, Minn.). The Beavers added its second run in its final at bat. Picking up the RBI for the Beavers was Silvernagel his third RBI of the day. That was all the runs the Beaver offense would be able to produce as they fell 2-7 in Game 2.

Bryan Buhr (Frazee, Minn.) got his first start of the season for the Beavers. Buhr pitched four inning allowing six runs (six earned) on seven hits with four strikeouts. Brent Vollbrecht (Morristown, Minn.) and Jake Miesen (Springfield, Minn.) made the relief appearances for the Beavers. Vollbrecht pitched one inning allowing one run (none earned) on one hit, with Miesen pitching one inning allowing no runs. Buhr took the loss dropping his record to 0-1 on the season.

Jason Fuller scattered seven Beaver hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched. Fuller allowed one run (one earned) with three strikeouts. Jameson Benson came in for relief going 1 2/3 innings surrendering one run (one earned) on three hits. Fuller picked up his first win of the season for the Fighting Sioux.

P.J. McIntee (Randolph, Minn.) and Silvernagel led the Beavers at the plate each going 2-for-3.
Silvernagel and Pilgrim picked up the RBI’s for the Beavers.

Bemidji State (6-35 / 4-16 NSIC) is back in action tomorrow afternoon as the Beavers will host the University of Mary in a conference double-header. The first pitch is slatted for 1:30 p.m.

--beavers--