MARSHALL, Minn. (Mustang Field) - The Bemidji State University softball team, led by a strong performance on the mound from Alison Willard (Sr., P, Hutchinson, Minn.), was able to hand Southwest Minnesota State University its first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference loss of the season in a split Friday afternoon.

The Beavers (8-14, 3-7 NSIC) were no-hit in the first game of the doubleheader, but they responded by handing the Mustangs (15-15, 7-1 NSIC) their first loss at their new field, which opened at the beginning of the season.

Three consecutive three-run innings to start the first game was enough to take care of Bemidji State in five innings. SMSU collected nine hits and won 9-0.

Courtney Anderson (Fr., P, Virginia, Minn.) struggled her way to a five-hit, six-run performance in just 1.1 innings of work, moving to 4-7 this season. Jamie Lund (So., P, Grantsburn, Wisc.) entered in the second and pitched 1.2 innings, allowing three more runs on three hits. Jordan Anderson (Fr., P, Sartell, Minn.) pitched the last inning and allowed just one hit.

Amanda Johnson struck out eight in 5.0 innings to move to 7-6 on the year.

The Beavers defense picked up in the second game, and the road team used a two-run sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and gather a split after a 3-1 victory. BSU outhit the Mustangs 11-7.

Willard pitched one of her finest games of the season, scattering six hits over 5.2 innings of work. She allowed just one run to improve to 3-5 this year. Courtney Anderson pitched the final 1.1 innings and earned her first-career save.

Alina Honken allowed two runs on six hits in 5.0 innings. She also struck out eight in moving to 3-5 on the year. Johnson pitched the last two innings and gave up five hits after no-hitting the Beavers in the first game. She also allowed a run.

Karissa Hendrickson (So., 3B/2B, Big Lake, Minn.) and Bridget Smith (Jr., SS, International Falls, Minn.) both went 3-for-4 for Bemidji State. Smith also drove home a run and scored once. Brittany Bolstad (Jr., OF, International Falls, Minn.) and Mara Johnson (Sr., 2B, Bemidji, Minn.) each had two hits, with Bolstad collecting two RBI and Johnson crossing the plate once. Courtney Loegering (Fr., OF, Spring Lake Park, Minn.) also scored after a 1-for-4 performance.

Amanda Tucci and Nicole Kelley were the only Mustangs to collect multiple hits, and Janeane Robinson crossed the plate to help SMSU avoid the shutout.

BSU will travel to Mankato, Minn., Saturday for a noon battle with Minnesota State University.

--bsu--