ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Bemidji State University softball team improved to 3-2 on the season after defeating Northwestern College and University of Minnesota Crookston Friday on the first day of the Husky Invite in St. Cloud, Minn.

The Beavers (3-2, 0-0- NSIC) defeated the Red Raiders (2-2) 9-4 in game one of the day after sophomore Elaina Christiansen blasted a career-high three home runs and drove in five runs. Bemidji State then used a RBI single from junior Sami Dullum in the eighth inning to earn a walk-off victory over the Golden Eagles (2-2) in game two.

Christiansen once again led the Beavers at the plate by hitting three doubles and driving in one run to finish the day 6-for-7 at the plate with three home runs, three doubles, six RBI and five runs scored. In the circle, sophomore Kaidron McClafferty earned both wins for the Beavers a pitching a complete game in game one and two innings in game two. She earned seven strikeouts in the circle and held teams to just two earned runs.

Bemidji State wraps-up play at the Husky Invite tomorrow night when it plays William Jewell College and Viterbo University at 5 and 7 p.m., respectively.

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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