WAYNE, Neb. (Pete Chapman Complex) -- The Bemidji State University baseball team was defeated by Wayne State College 8-1 and 9-4 in the first two games of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday.

The lone run for the Beavers in the first game of doubleheader was scored in the top of the seventh inning, way too late to make an impact after five runs in the first two innings gave WSC (10-5, 2-0 NSIC) a commanding early lead. The home team added three more in the fourth and fifth innings, and Bemidji State (7-13, 0-2 NSIC) was unable to find its offensive rhythm. WSC outhit BSU 9-4, and the Beavers committed four errors to just one by the Wildcats.

Justin Huether (Sr., OF/P, Brainerd, Minn.) dropped to 0-2 this year after allowing seven runs (three earned) on seven hits in 4.0 innings. Matt Fossen (So., P, Bemidji, Minn.) finished out the game, allowing one unearned run off just two hits. Chad Moreland earned his first win of the season, throwing a one-run, three-hit complete game. He never walked a batter and struck out five.

Josh Juntunen (Sr., 1B/P, Elk River, Minn.) had the hottest bat for BSU, going 2-for-3, and Nick Jelacie (So., OF, Brainerd, Minn.) had the other hit and the lone run. Huether had the lone run batted in. Justin Hemauer was the only Wildcat to notch multiple hits, as he went 3-for-4 from the dish. He also collected an RBI and scored three times.

In the second game of the series, the Wildcats jumped out a quick 3-0 lead after just one inning. Three Beavers touched home plate in the top of the second to tie things up, but six runs were added in the next three innings by the home squad. BSU was only able to respond with one for the final 9-4 mark. WSC outhit BSU 9-7, and both teams committed one error.

Juntunen took the mound for BSU and fell to 0-2 this season. He last 4.0 innings and allowed seven runs (six earned) off six hits. He struck out three and walked four. Randy Amos (Sr., P, Wilmington, N.C.) relieved Juntunen and allowed three hits, two runs and one walk in the final 2.0 innings.

Austen Wisroth threw the first 5.0 innings for the Wildcats, earning the win to improve to 2-1 this year. He allowed four runs and seven hits, while striking out four and walking one. Jared Hegdahl threw the final 2.0 innings and struck out four. He only allowed one base-runner, and that was a hit-by-pitch.

Seven of the nine starting Beavers recorded a hit, but none would collect more than one. Joe Chism (Jr., C/OF, Great Bend, Kan.) extended his hitting streak to five games, and he scored once. Josh Silvernagel (Jr., INF, Bismarck, N.D.), Ryan Sander (So., 1B/P, St. James, Minn.) and Alex Messick (So., C, Lakeville, Minn.) all scored as well. Messick drove home two runs to lead BSU.

Joshua Yost and Alex Koch combined to go 6-for-7 from the plate, and Koch had three RBI and a two-run homer to lead WSC. Koch and Joe Wendte also scored twice.

BSU will look to halt its recent six-game skid Saturday against the Wildcats with the second of two doubleheaders. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 12:00 p.m.

Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

--beavers--