MARSHALL, Minn. (Mustang Field) – Strong pitching and timely hitting led Southwest Minnesota State University to a pair of wins over the Bemidji State University softball Friday afternoon at Mustang Field. Both games were originally slated to be played in Bemidji, but were moved to Marshall, Minn. due to unplayable field conditions.

In the first game, SMSU pitcher Rachel Hoeppner tallied eight strikeouts and gave up just one hit as BSU fell 3-0. The Beavers’ lone hit came off the bat of Megan Bergeson (IF/C, Sr., New London, Minn.) in the fourth inning.

Despite pitching one of her best games of season, Allison Roberts (P, Jr., Crystal, Minn.) was tagged with the loss after going seven innings, allowing three runs and striking out four. Roberts’ record now sits at 3-4.

In game two of the doubleheader, the Beavers and Mustangs were engaged in a pitcher’s duel as Danielle Jecmen (P, Fr., Bloomingdale, Ill.) and Alex O’Connor each dominated the opponent’s hitters.

Bemidji State would strike first with a run-scoring single by Lyndsey Peterson (OF, So., Cottonwood, Minn.) to plate Bergeson in the bottom of the first. It was the first lead for Beavers in seven games. BSU last played with a lead against Concordia University, St. Paul March 31.

SMSU would answer with a run of its own in the third and scratch another across in the sixth, which proved to be the game-winner, as the Mustangs prevailed, 2-1.

Jecmen took the loss despite allowing just two runs. The freshman hurler scattered 11 hits, allowed two runs and struck out three moving her record to 5-8. Jecmen also produced her best day with the bat as she went 2-for-3 with a double.

Bemidji State now drops to 11-17 (0-12 NSIC) on the season. The Beavers will head to Sioux Falls, S.D. tomorrow to take on University of Sioux Falls in another doubleheader slated to begin at noon.   

For more information on the Bemidji State University softball program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@Beaver_Softball or @BSUBeavers), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers.

Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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