SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Bemidji State University Softball team dropped two games to Augustana University 11-2 and 5-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader action Monday afternoon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Beavers are now 19-21 overall and 8-10 in the NSIC ranking eighth.
The Vikings (32-11, 15-3 NSIC) scored the first run on the day from an RBI double to center field followed by a two-run home run to take an early 3-0 advantage after the second inning. The Beavers got on the board in the fourth inning, with the bases loaded
Grace Gumiela drove in one run with a single. BSU added one more run with a walk to
Alexa Christenson to cut the lead to 3-2. The Vikings responded with two home runs and four runs scored in the fourth to regain their large lead at 7-2. In the fifth inning Augustana ended the game with a grand slam from Kennedy Buckman.
The Beavers got on base nine times in the first game with seven walks.
Mariah Stevenson in her three plate appearances drew three walks and
Alexa Christenson drew two.
Emmarie Yeager and Gumiela recorded the only BSU hits with singles.
Kyla Damerow (9-11) pitched for the Beavers to start game one. Damerow pitched 3.2 innings and
Abby Kessel entered the game to get the final out in the fourth inning and started the fifth inning for BSU. Hailey Houston (16-2) started the game for AU and pitched a complete game. Houston in her five innings of work struck out four batters, walked seven and gave up two hits and two earned runs.
The Vikings picked up right where they left off in game two with a two home runs, with the second being a two-run shot to go up 3-0 after the first inning. Augustana added to its lead in the fifth inning with an RBI double and then a single to drive in the fifth and final run of the game.
Bemidji State despite not putting a run on the board had more hits than the earlier game with five in the nightcap. All hits for the Beavers were singles coming from;
Molly Houts, Stevenson,
Ashley Herold, Gumiela and
Morgan Benedict. Gumiela also drew the only BSU walk.
Stella Dolan (9-9) got her 20
th start of the season and pitched her eighth complete game. Dolan struck out one batter, walked three and gave up nine hits and five earned runs. Lexi Lander (13-7) pitched her third complete game shutout and her second in a row. Lander in seven innings of work struck out three batters, walked one and gave up four hits.
The Beavers wrap up their three-day road trip tomorrow (Tuesday) against St. Cloud State University at 1 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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