ST CLOUD, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Softball team split day one at the Kelly Laas Memorial Tournament, picking up its first win of the season against St. Could State University 3-1, but fell to University of Minnesota, Duluth 16-0 (5). The Beavers picked up their first win over the Huskies since the 2017 season.
 
The Beavers started their season with two extra base hits, first with a double by Aimee Christenson, followed by a two-run homerun by her sister Alexa Christenson to put BSU up early. Bemidji State added another run in the third inning when Kora Martin scored on a wild pitch. Mariah Stevenson doubled in the top of the fourth for the Beavers final hit of the game. 
 
Stella Dolan earned her first win of the season holding the Huskies to one run allowed in the third inning in the complete game effort. Dolan added four strikeouts and walked just two batters in throwing 89 pitches. The Beaver defense stranded six runners on base and didn't commit any errors to lift BSU over SCSU the first time since April 12, 2017.  
 
Bemidji State did not fare as well in the second game falling 16-0 to Minnesota Duluth in five innings. Kyla Damerow started in the circle and allowed just two earned runs in 1.2 innings, while adding a strikeout. Elle Hastings went the final 3.1 innings. Senior Ashley Herold was perfect at the plate in game two with a double and a single. Molly Houts singled in her only plate appearance in the game. Aimee Christenson picked up the first stolen base of the season for the Beavers.
 
Beavers continue the Kelly Laas Memorial Tournament with a double header tomorrow (Sunday). Bemidji State starts the afternoon off against University of Mary beginning at 12:30 p.m., before a rematch with Minnesota Duluth will close the day at 3 p.m.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State Softball program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeavers), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) or sign up for the TXTUpdates from BSUBeavers.com text-messaging system through the "Multimedia" pull down menu on the main page of BSUBeavers.com.
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association 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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