BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Baseball Field) -- The Bemidji State University baseball team was swept in the series opener Friday night to University of Minnesota Duluth, 10-4 and 20-8, at BSU Baseball Field. First baseman Mason Bellew finished the day with five RBI for the Beavers (11-29, 8-16 NSIC) against the Bulldogs (25-9, 18-4 NSIC).
Game One: UMD 10, BSU 4
Third baseman Joey Hanowski and designated hitter Nick Hovila reached base with two outs in the third inning to set up right fielder Tyler Nelson’s first RBI of the game. The single through the middle cut into the Bulldogs’ lead, 7-1. Nelson and first baseman Mason Bellew added one RBI each in the fourth and fifth innings.
Minnesota Duluth built its 10 runs through six innings before Bemidji State recorded two singles in the bottom of the seventh. Litchy advanced to second and Nelson scored the final Beavers’ run on a passed ball.
Starting pitcher Terry Hadden (0-6) took the loss with 5.2 innings pitched and two strikeouts. Minnesota Duluth starter Bo Helquist (6-1) earned the win after 5.0 innings pitched, seven hits allowed and three earned runs.
Game Two: UMD 20, BSU 8
After the Bulldogs took a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning and extended it to 4-0 in the third, Hanowski doubled to left field to drive in Bellew while designated hitter Gunner Olszewski hit a sac fly to cut the deficit in half. Bemidji State tied the game in the fourth as left fielder Scott Litchy doubled to lead off the inning followed by a single from center fielder Logan Riedel. A fielder’s choice and sac fly drove in Litchy and Riedel.
Second baseman Duane Miller drew a walk in the sixth inning to set up Bellew with an RBI double. The Beavers’ score followed the Bulldogs’ seven run outing in the top half. Facing the 10-run rule heading into the bottom of the eighth, Bellew knocked a three-run dinger past the tall left field fence to bring the Beavers down 17-8.
Starting pitcher Jack Stigman (2-4) was given the loss after 5.0 innings pitched and six strikeouts. Austin Vaske (4-1) recorded the win for the Bulldogs with 7.0 innings pitched, six hits and four earned runs.
Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth close the four-game series tomorrow at BSU Baseball Field. The Beavers and Bulldogs throw the first pitch 12 p.m.
For more information on the Bemidji State baseball program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeaversBase 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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