BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Baseball team ended its final home series of the 2024 season with a high note Wednesday afternoon by earning the program's first sweep since 2021 after defeating Minot State University 8-5 and 13-3 in two seven-inning games at the BSU Baseball Field.
 
Junior Zach Evenson shined in the series going 5-for-7 at the plate with two doubles, one home run, four RBI and also pitched a complete game victory in game one. The Beavers totaled 24 hits in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader with Minot State including tying a season high with 15 hits in game one. BSU also scored a season high 13 runs in game two for the run-rule victory.
 
Evenson took the mound for his fourth start of the season in game one and Minot State got off to a great start scoring three runs off four hits in the opening inning. However, Bemidji State answered in the bottom half of the inning when junior Hunter Daymond drove in two runs with a bases loaded single up the middle. Evenson settled in from then on and held Minot State to just one hit over the next five innings.
 
The Beavers took the lead from Minot State in the fifth inning when Dylan Hedley drove in the game-tying run with a sacrifice fly and then Hudson Filippi followed with a RBI single to centerfield to score the go-ahead run. BSU added to its lead in the next inning with RBI hits from Jack Munson, Evenson, Ty Karger and Hedley to put the Beavers ahead 8-3.
 
Minot State made a run at the end in the top of the seventh scoring two runs after a Beaver fielding error with two outs, however, Evenson collected the third and final out with a fly ball to collect his first win on the mound of his Beaver career and earn his first complete game victory. He finished the game allowing five runs (three earned) off seven hits, walked one and struck out three improving his record to 1-2 on the season while also going 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, RBI and two runs scored.
 
Bemidji State then recorded five extra base hits in the second game to power a 13-3 run-rule victory. Senior Ty Karger started the scoring for the Beavers in the bottom of the first with a three-run home run to deep left field for his eighth home run of the season putting BSU up 3-1 after the first.
 
After two scoreless innings, Minot State retook the lead with two runs in the fourth but the Beavers responded in the bottom half of the inning with three runs off RBI's from Hedley, Matt Filippi and Thoma. The Beavers didn't look back and after a solo home run from Evenson in the fifth, they exploded for a six-run sixth inning highlighted by a bases clearing three RBI double from Hunter Daymond for three of his five RBI on the day.
 
Matt Filippi also dominated on the mound and at the plate pitching five innings and allowed just two hits and three runs to earn his first collegiate victory. He improved to 1-3 on the season after allowing the three runs off two hits and also walked four while striking out three on 80 pitches.
 
Sophomore Sawyer Nendick was dominant coming out of the bullpen and pitched the final two innings allowing just one hit to secure the Beaver victory.
 
Evenson also led the Beavers at the plate in game two going 3-for-3 with a home run, double, three RBI and four runs scored while Karger and Daymond also batted in three runs to help the Beavers score the most runs this season.
 
Bemidji State will now look to end its season on a high note on the road and travels to St. Cloud State University for a three-game NSIC series beginning Friday at 9:30 a.m., to end the 2024 season.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State baseball program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeaversBase), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversBase).
 
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 Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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