MINNEAPOLIS – The Bemidji State University baseball team won game one of a nonconference doubleheader with Colorado Christian University 4-2, but fell 3-0 in game two for a nonconference split Thursday at the H.H.H Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn. Key hits and solid pitching from BSU got the victory in game one, but the bats went quiet in the game two loss. The Beavers are 2-2 on the season.

The Beavers took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning of game one. After launching the first pitch of the game deep, but foul, junior Trevor Purvis (OF/P, Rio Rancho, N.M.) reached first on a fielding error by the Cougar second baseman. He scored off the bat of the next batter, sophomore Zach Braun (C, Lakeville, Minn.) as he delivered a double to center field. With one out, junior Jaryd Marks (RHP/1B, Cottage Grove, Minn.) ripped a shot to left center to score Braun and the Beavers owned the two run advantage.

The score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning when a misplayed ball in the outfield enabled a lead-off triple for the Cougars. An error on a pick-off attempt by junior right-hander Logan Kalis (Little Falls, Minn.) allowed the run to score and the CCU deficit was cut in half at 2-1.

The Beavers provided Kalis with some breathing room in the top of the sixth with a pair of two out base knocks that drove in two runs. With Marks on second, junior third baseman Matt Ellinghuysen (St. Charles, Minn.) laced the ball down the left field line on a full count to score Marks and slide safely into second. Sophomore infielder Dylan Webb (Ahwatukee, Ariz.) then lined the ball through the right side and plated Ellinghuysen for the 4-1 lead.

CCU got one back in the bottom half of the sixth and the score was 4-2 heading into the decisive seventh inning. BSU was unable to get any more runs in the seventh, but Marks came in and closed the door on the Cougars 1-2-3 for his first save as a Beaver.

Kalis threw six complete innings for his first win of the season. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Marks had the only two-hit game for BSU, he added an RBI and a run scored.  

The Cougars drew first blood in game two, getting the first run of the game in the third inning. With two outs, a CCU base runner stole second, then stole third to set up a base hit to right that scored the run. CCU tacked on a couple more in the top of the seventh to secure its first win of the season and improve to 1-5.  

The Beavers left seven base runners on the paths, including leaving the bases juiced in the fourth. Junior Ryan Van Someren (RHP, Milaca, Minn.) started for BSU in game two and earned the loss in his first start of the season. He allowed a run on three this with four strikeouts and one free pass. Five different players recorded a hit for the Beavers, as BSU was out-hit 7-5.

The Beavers now head to Phoenix, Ariz. for their spring trip March 3-9.
 
Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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