BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University softball team earned its first sweep of a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponent this season by sweeping the University of Mary. The Beavers (20-8, 3-2 NSIC) didn't allow a run in the series after Jessica Yost and Jenna Massingill each recorded seven-inning shutouts.

U-Mary 0, Bemidji State 3

The Beavers use runs in the first, second, and third inning to down the Marauders in the first action at the BSU Softball Field in 2016. Freshman Kelsey McAllister started the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first. Erin Robson then singled up the middle and drove in Angie Roberts for the Beavers lone run in the second. Alayna Krejci scored Jessica Yost on a fielder’s choice in the third to round out the scoring for Bemidji State.

BSU then relied on Yost to hold the Marauders as the Bemidji, Minn. native held U-Mary to just three hits in the game. Yost went all seven innings for the 13^th time this season and earned her seventh shutout of the season. She struck out 11 batters in the game marking the ninth time this season she has had 10 or more strikeouts.

Now with a record of 13-2 on the season, Yost is tied for the NSIC lead in wins. Lyndsey Peterson led the Beavers with three hits in the game while Jessica Burlingame, Robson and Roberts each had two.

U-Mary 0, Bemidji State 6

It wasn’t until late in the game that the Beavers got on the scoreboard but scored big in the fourth inning when Jessica Burlingame hit a bases-loaded double that scored three to end the scoreless tie. Bemidji State added two more runs in the fifth when Megan Castor drove in two runs off of a single to right field. The Beavers extended their lead to 6-0 when Yost hit a sac fly in the sixth.

Senior Jenna Massingill pitched all seven innings for the Beavers and earned her third shutout of the season. The Marauders were able to gain seven hits in the game but Massingill came up strong and held U-Mary scoreless. She earned nine strikeouts while only walking two and improved her record on the season to 5-3.

Burling game led the Beavers with two doubles and three RBI while freshman Kelsey McAllister went 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Beavers will continue play at home this weekend and host Minnesota State University, Mankato, Saturday and Concordia University-St. Paul, Sunday for a pair of NSIC doubleheaders.

For more information on the Bemidji State University softball program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@Beaver_Softball or @BSUBeavers) or 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).

--bsu—