LIBERTY, Mo. (Talley Baseball Stadium) -- The Bemidji State University baseball team saw an opportunity for a comeback in game two against William Jewell College Saturday, but fell in its doubleheader, 5-1 and 3-2. Left fielder Scott Litchy notched his first home run of the season to help the Beavers (1-7, 0-0 NSIC) take a win over the Cardinals (6-4, 0-0 GLVC) at Talley Baseball Stadium.

Left-handed pitcher Mark Lesinski began game one strong retiring the first nine batters in order, striking out two batters. After his strong start, he allowed three earned runs to take his first loss of the season. The Cardinals took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring a runner from second base on a single to center field. A two-run home run to right field gave William Jewell a 3-0 lead, which was followed by another RBI single in the bottom of the fifth.

The Cardinals finished scoring one additional run before the Beavers began a comeback attempt in the seventh inning. Shortstop Collin Eckman reached base on a field error by the Cardinals and was scored by second baseman Ben Boser with a sacrifice fly. The lone score was sshy for a comeback, though, as William Jewell finished with the 5-1 win.

In game two, William Jewell took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning after Bemidji State stranded six runners on base for the Cardinals. WJC singled and doubled to drive in two runs in the fifth inning. A sacrifice fly in the sixth inning by the Cardinals scored the game-winning run as the Beavers made a comeback effort in the eighth.

Center fielder Nick Hovilla, coming in during the eighth inning, was hit by a pitch to set up left fielder Scott Litchy’s two-run home run. Bemidji State put two runners on the bases over the final two innings, but was unable to tie the game in the 3-2 loss.

Lesinski (0-1) took his first loss of the season while going 5.0 innings and striking out three batters. Ryan Fransen (0-2) was recorded with his second loss of the season after throwing 5.2 innings and striking out three batters.

Catcher Gunner Olszewski went 2-of-3 during game one to lead Bemidji State while first baseman Duane Miller went 3-of-4 in game two to mark the only mutli-hit batter for BSU in game two. Boser accounted for the Beavers’ lone run of game one and Litchy totaled both runs in game two with his first home run of the season.

Bemidji State finishes its weekend series with a single nine-inning game against William Jewell. The Beavers and Cardinals throw the first pitch at 12 p.m. at Talley Baseball Stadium.

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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