BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Softball Field) - The Bemidji State University softball team left the bases loaded in the bottom of the final inning in both losses to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe Augustana College Saturday. The Beavers were playing their first home games since May 1, 2007.

Bemidji State (8-18, 3-11 NSIC) dropped the first game 3-1 before falling 9-0 to the Vikings (21-19, 12-3 NSIC) in the second game of the doubleheader.

Three single runs in innings two, four and five gave the visiting team a 3-0 lead, and the Beavers were struggling at the plate. The no-hit bid by Augustana pitcher Chelsey Durland was broken up in the fifth, and the bats came alive for BSU in the bottom of the seventh. After plating the lone run of the game, Bemidji State loaded the bases with only one out. The home squad was unable to do any more damage on the scoreboard, however, and the Vikings escaped with the first game of the series.

BSU recorded four hits, one each by Kasey Callison (Sr., 1B, Eagle River, Alaska), Mara Johnson (Sr., 2B, Bemidji, Minn.), Amy Klaers (Sr., 3B/C, Elk River, Minn.) and Bridget Smith (Jr., SS, International Falls, Minn.). Callison scored the run and was driven home by Klaers.

No Viking recorded multiple hits, but Britt Stewart had two runs batted in to lead the charge. AC finished with six hits and neither team committed an error.

Courtney Anderson (Fr., P, Virginia, Minn.) pitched her eighth complete game of the season, but dropped to 4-9 after allowing the three runs. She also struck out three batters. Her counterpart in the circle, Durland, also pitched a complete game, and she recorded the win after striking out four and allowing four hits and one run.

The second game of the series was quite a different tale for the two teams. Augustana jumped on BSU pitcher Alison Willard (Sr., Hutchinson, Minn.) early to the tune of five runs in the first two innings, and the black and green squad could never quite find any rhythm offensively. The Vikings added two in both the fourth and seventh for the 9-0 final.

Karissa Hendrickson (So., 3B/2B, Big Lake, Minn.), Courtney Loegering (Fr., OF, Spring Lake Park, Minn.) and Klaers all had two hits to pace Bemidji State’s seven-hit performance.

Augie had 11 hits, with Erika Wolner, Ally Rutherford, Traci Fransen and Kelsey Kalkman all collecting two apeice. Rutherford led the way with three RBI, and Wolner, Fransen and Kalkman each had two RBI. Wolner and Kayla Henke both scored twice.

Willard lasted just 4.0 innings after allowing eight hits and seven runs (five earned), falling to 3-7 this season. Jamie Lund (So., P, Grantsburn, Wisc.) pitched the final 3.0 innings, allowing three hits and two runs.

Kelly Ottis went the distance for Augustana College, and earned the win after giving up seven hits and no runs.

If one home series wasn’t enough, the Beavers will get another doubleheader at the BSU Softball Field Sunday against Wayne (Neb.) State College. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.

--bsu--