BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Softball team split their doubleheader games with Southwest Minnesota State University with a 1-0 extra innings victory before falling in game two 3-1 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play Saturday afternoon at the BSU Softball field. The Beavers' playoff hopes stay alive with an NSIC record of 11-13 sitting in ninth place and have an overall record of 22-24. 
 
Game one between the Beavers and Mustangs (17-30-12-16 NSIC) was a pitchers' duel between Kyla Damerow (11-12) and Shelby Bloemendaal (3-8) with the only run coming in the ninth inning. After a leadoff double from Eliana Christiansen to start the ninth, two batters later Mariah Stevenson drove her home for the walk off win with a single to center field. Damerow in her winning effort pitched all nine innings striking out three batters, not walking anyone and gave up three hits. For Bloemendaal, she struck out five batters, did not walk anyone and gave up seven hits and one earned run.
 
The Beavers tallied seven hits coming from only three student-athletes. Stevenson had a successful day at the plate with three singles, Christiansen had the only extra base hit of the game with a double and added a single. Emmarie Yeager also reached base twice with a pair of singles.
 
The Mustangs scored their first run of the day in second inning of game two after an error earlier in the second. Abby Russell added another run for SMSU in the fifth after a single to second base. With runners in scoring position Ashley Herold scored one runner as she grounded out to first base to cut the lead to 2-1 in the sixth. The Mustangs were able put one more run on the board in the seventh for a final score of 3-1. The Beavers threatened in the home half of the seventh getting two runners on before a strikeout ended the game.
 
Just like in game one BSU tallied seven hits but spread it around five batters. Herold and Yeager both had multiple hits in game two both with singles. Alexa Christenson, Christiansen and Aimee Christenson all had singles as well. Aimee Christenson came into pitch hit and went 1-for-1 at the plate. Christiansen drew the only walk of the day and Molly Houts reached base after getting hit by a pitch.
 
Stella Dolan (10-11) competed her 11^th game of the season pitching four scoreless innings in her seven innings of work. Dolan struck one batter and gave up nine hits and one earned run. Karlie Miller (7-11) pitched a complete game for SMSU with two strikeouts, one walk issued and gave up seven hits and no earned runs.
  
The Beavers wrap up the regular season as they host University of Sioux Falls tomorrow (Sunday) starting at noon as they try to advance to the NSIC Softball Tournament. 
 
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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