BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University softball team fell in two close games to Southwest Minnesota State University Friday afternoon to continue its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference homestand at the BSU Softball Field. The Beavers (5-13, 1-3 NSIC) fell to the Mustangs (12-6, 3-1 NSIC) in game one 6-5 and fell in game two, 3-1.

Southwest Minnesota State began the scoring for game one in the second inning with two runs and then added another run in the third to go up 3-0 on the Beavers. However, the Beavers responded in the bottom of the third when senior Lexi Derrick hit a two-run double. The Mustangs made it 5-2 in the fourth inning but Bemidji State responded once again in the fifth when senior Sami Dullum powered a three-run home run over the right field wall to tie the game. SMSU scored the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth while BSU was sent down 1-2-3 in the sixth and seventh innings to fall 6-5.

Dullum led the Beavers at the plate by going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI while junior Kora Martin went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Derrick batted 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Senior Stephi Dullum started the game in the circle for the Beavers and pitched three innings and allowed three runs (two earned) off of eight hits and had three strikeouts while freshman Stella Dolan came in to pitch four innings in relief and earned the loss after allowing three runs off of six hits and also had three strikeouts. Dolan falls to 0-2 on the season with the loss. 

Bemidji State struggled to solve Mustangs' pitcher Shelby Bloemendaal in game two and were held to just three hits and one run in a 3-1 loss in game two. Junior Kaidron McClafferty held the Mustangs to just three runs off of six hits in the circle for the Beavers but earns her fourth loss of the season after pitching all seven innings to fall to 0-4.

Bemidji State attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh and scored one run off of relief pitcher Allison Christians but back-to-back strikeouts with runners on first and third derailed the Beavers' attempt at a series split.

Senoir Lisa Kossan, Derrick and Stephi Dullum each recorded hits for the Beavers while Derrick hit a double and Dullum added an RBI. 

Bemidji State closes out its NSIC homestand tomorrow afternoon by hosting University of Sioux Falls at noon and 2 p.m.

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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