TUCSON, Ariz. (Kino Sports Complex) -- Bemidji State University baseball closed out its spring trip Friday with a 12-5 loss to Southwest Minnesota State University in Tucson, Ariz. The Beavers, now 3-11 overall, gave up 20 hits and stranded 15 Mustang base runners as BSU went 3-3 at the Tucson Invitational Games.

Southwest Minnesota State began the game with two runs in the top of the first inning before Bemidji State took its first lead in the home half of the first. Back-to-back singles to lead off the bottom of the first inning set up runs on a bases loaded walk, a bases loaded catcher's interference and an RBI ground out for a 3-2 advantage.

The Mustangs led off the second inning with a solo home run and regained its lead, 6-3, behind a one-out RBI double and two RBI singles. SMSU left the bases loaded for the second straight inning and left two runners on base in both the third and fourth. BSU's deficit grew in the fourth inning as SMSU crossed three runs on two hits and one BSU error for a 9-3 lead.

The Beavers' final runs of the game were scored on RBI singles from junior John Perkins and senior Logan Barrick. BSU had the bases loaded with one out following Barrick's single before a double play pushed the game into the fifth inning.

Senior Sam Kalberer, junior John Perkins and sophomore Jack Munson each recorded two hits while all five of BSU's runs were driven in by five Beavers. BSU left eight runners on base through the game and went 4-of-10 from the plate with runners in scoring position.

Sophomore Will Lavin (0-4) started on the mound and took the loss as BSU totaled four pitchers through the game. Junior Jacob Marx threw 2.1 innings with two strikeouts, sophomore Jacob Mathiason threw 3.2 innings with three strikeouts and junior Konrad Kisch threw the final 2.0 innings with one strikeout, no walks and one run allowed.

Bemidji State will open its conference schedule March 19-20 with a three-game series at Concordia University-St. Paul.

For more information on the Bemidji State athletic programs, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@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 Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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