FAYETTE, Iowa (Robertson Woods Field) -- The Bemidji State University baseball team earned a four game series split with Upper Iowa University, splitting a double-header with the Peacocks Saturday afternoon. Upper Iowa got a four-RBI game from Lucas Wilsing to spark a 12-4 victory in Game 2, then saw a late-inning rally by BSU in Game 2 as the Beavers scored 10 runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a 13-6 win.

Upper Iowa University was in control of Game 1 from the start, building a 9-3 lead after three innings. The Beavers got on the score board first with a sacrifice fly by Josh Juntunen (Sr., LHP/1B, Elk River, Minn.) giving BSU a early 1-0 lead. It didn’t take the Peacocks long to take the lead for good as the second batter of the second inning, Lucas Wilsing, hit a two-run homer putting UIU up 2-1. Jarrod Esquibel singled down the left field line allowing Brock Spangenberg to score for second giving the Peacocks a 3-1 lead.

The Peacocks broke the game open in the third with six runs off four hits and one Beaver error pushing their lead to 9-1. The inning was highlighted by a pair of two out, 2 RBI doubles by Erik Sorensen and Kreston Albirght. BSU cut the Peacocks lead to 9-3 in the bottom of the inning off a RBI double by Justin Huether (Sr., OF/RHP, Brainerd, Minn.) and a RBI single by Ryan Sander (So., RHP/INF, St. James, Minn.).

The was as close as BSU would get in Game 1 as the Beavers would eventually fall 12-4 to the Peacocks.

Lucas Wilsing was stellar on the mound for Upper Iowa, garnering his third win of the season by scattering seven hits over seven innings. He allowed all four of the Beaver runs (three earned) while walking four and striking out four. He is now 3-2 on the season.

BSU hurler Juntunen fell to 0-3 on the season working 2.2 innings allowing nine runs (nine earned) off eight hits with two strikeouts and three walks. Brian Jamieson (So., RHP, Maplewood, Minn.) came out of the bull pen to work 3.1 innings of relief giving up three runs (two earned) off three hits. Matt Fossen (So., RHP, Bemidji, Minn.) picked up a strikeout with a walk in his one inning of relief.

Josh Silvernagel (Jr., SS/RHP, Bismarck, N.D.) led BSU offensively going 2-for-4 at the dish with one run scored.

In Game 2, Upper Iowa jumped out to a 5-2 lead through two innings of play but BSU scored 10 runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to earn a come-from-behind win and earn a series split, 13-6.

BSU took a early lead in the bottom of the first off taking advantage of a Upper Iowa error. Silvernagel reached first after getting hit by a pitch and then advanced to second on a balk. Silvernagel then stole third and scored on a error by the Peacocks catcher. Huether added to BSU’s 1-0 lead with a RBI single to left field giving the Beavers a 2-0 lead.

Upper Iowa scored five of its six runs in the second, plating five runs off six hits. Five different Peacock batters picked up a RBI in the inning to give UIU a 5-2 lead. BSU added a run in the third as Colton Smith (So., 3B/RHP, Waddell, Ariz.) led the inning off with a double to left field and then scored off a RBI single by Huether to bring BSU to with in 5-3.

A six run fourth by the Beavers bolted BSU ahead of the Peacocks 9-5 to take a commanding lead. BSU did much of the damage with two outs scoring five of the six runs with two outs. Smith, Nick Jelacie (So., OF, Brainerd, Minn.), Juntunen and Huehter all had RBI’s in the inning.

Smith delivered a 2 RBI single up the middle in the fifth putting BSU up 11-5. Brad Hasenkamp drove in the Peacocks sixth run of the game in the sixth inning bring UIU to within 11-6 but Alex Messick’s (So., C, Lakeville, Minn.) third home run of the season with Smith’s fourth RBI of the game in the seventh put BSU up 13-6, which was to much of a deficit for UIU to overcome as the Peacocks were sent down in order in the seventh.

Ryan Bohannan (Sr., OF/RHP, Goodyear, Ariz.) pitched the third complete game of the season throwing 132 pitches in the contest. Bohannan improved his record to 1-4 on the year surrendering six runs (six earned) off 11 hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.

Greg Sieck fell to 2-2 working just 3.2 innings allowing seven runs (six earned) off nine hits with one strikeout and one walk. Brandon Hall, Chris Wlezien, and Brandon Schenk combined to work 2.1 innings giving up six runs (two earned) off nine hits.

Smith led BSU at the plate in the win with a 4-for-4 effort with four RBI and two runs scored. Huether added three hits with three RBI and a run scored as the Beavers pounded out a season-high 18 hits.

Bemidji State (11-24; 4-13 NSIC) will be back in action on Wednesday, Apr. 15 when the Beavers host Southwest Minnesota State in a double-header at the BSU Baseball Field. Game time is set for 1 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--