SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Bemidji State University Softball team suffered two close losses in its doubleheader with Concordia University-St. Paul Monday afternoon in Sioux Center, Iowa at the Sioux Center Dome. The Beavers (8-19, 2-2 NSIC) fell by just one run in game one against the Golden Bears (22-6, 4-0 NSIC) by a score of 4-3 and then by just two runs in game two, 3-1.
Bemidji State held a 3-0 lead over the Golden Bears in the top of the fourth, but CSP responded with back-to-back two-run innings to take a 4-3 lead where its pitching staff shut the door on the Beavers' attempt at gaining the lead back.
Junior
Mariah Stevenson started the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and was followed by an RBI single by freshman
Jackie Larsen to go up 2-0 after two. After a scoreless third inning, Larsen once again came up clutch at the plate in the top of the fourth and drove in a run with a fielder's choice.
However, the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings was when the Golden Bears bats came alive and back-to-back home runs pulled them within two followed by a two more runs in the fifth to give them the lead.
The Beavers had a runner on second in the top of the seventh after
Aimee Christenson doubled down the left field line, but CSP's Erica McCullough retired the next batter to earn the save.
Aimee Christenson and
Morgan Benedict each totaled two of the Beavers' nine hits in the game with each hitting doubles while Benedict also came in to score twice. Larsen paced the Beavers with two runs batted in while Stevenson followed with one.
Senior
Stella Dolan pitched all six innings for the Beavers but earns the loss to fall to 6-9 on the season. She pitched her 12
th complete game of the season and allowed four runs off seven hits, struck out one and didn't allow a walk.
Bemidji State struggle to string hits together to produce runs in game two and came across the plate once while totaling six hits.
Concordia-St. Paul got on the scoreboard first with a run in the third inning but the lead didn't last long as Benedict tied the game with an RBI single in the fourth. However, a solo home run followed by an RBI bunt single in the fifth put CSP back on top where McCullough held the Beavers scoreless through the final three innings to earn the Golden Bears the victory and sweep.
Senior
Molly Houts recorded two of the Beavers' six hits in the game, the lone Beaver to record multiple hits.
Sophomore
Elle Hastings pitched four innings but earned the loss (1-4) after allowing three runs off four hits and walked two. She was replaced by Dolan in the fifth inning who pitched the final two innings allowing 0 runs and just one hit.
The Beavers now return home where they hope to host their first home games of the season Friday, March 29. The Beavers are scheduled to host University of Sioux Falls for an NSIC doubleheader Friday but snow in the area may affect the series.
For more information on the Bemidji State softball program, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversSB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BemidjiStateSoftball) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversSB).
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey 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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