ROSEMONT, Ill. – Bemidji State University Softball closed the Lewis University Dome Invitational Saturday morning with a pair of wins over Upper Iowa University, 3-1, and Hillsdale College, 9-1. The Beavers finished the invite with a 3-3 record, winning the last three games of the event. 


Bemidji State and Upper Iowa remained scoreless through the initial seven innings, with both teams unable to break through defensively. In the second inning, Bemidji State managed to get a hit when Calleigh Richards singled to right field, but the inning concluded with no runs scored.
 
In the fourth inning, Aubrey Aukerman singled to center field and advanced to second on a groundout. Despite getting another runner on base when Molly Houts was hit by a pitch, Bemidji State was unable to capitalize, leaving two runners stranded.
 
The game took a decisive turn in the eighth inning when Bemidji State's offense came alive. Morgan Benedict started on second due to extra-inning rules and soon scored when Jackie Larsen doubled to center field, bringing the score to 1-0. Alexa Christenson also scored following an error, and Larsen crossed the plate on another error, giving Bemidji State a 3-0 lead.
 
UIU responded in the bottom of the eighth with a sacrifice fly by Kylie Doty that brought Rae VanMilligan home, making the score 3-1. However, Bemidji State held their lead, securing the victory with a final score of 3-1.
 
Kennedy Joachim pitched a complete game, going 8 innings while allowing 5 hits and 1 run, which was unearned. She recorded 8 strikeouts and did not issue any walks, facing 29 batters. Joachim excelled against left-handed hitters, striking out 5 over 2 1/3 innings without allowing a hit. She also was effective with runners on base, striking out 7 batters in 4 1/3 innings, showcasing an impressive ability to pitch in pressure situations.
 
Jackie Larsen contributed significantly with an RBI double, accounting for one of Bemidji State's runs. She also drew a walk and had one strikeout in her three at-bats. Alexa Christenson made a notable impact with a double, the only extra-base hit for the team, scoring once during the game. Aubrey Aukerman provided a critical sacrifice hit, advancing a runner, and went 1-for-3 at the plate. On the mound, Kennedy Joachim delivered a standout performance, pitching a complete game over eight innings. She allowed one unearned run on five hits and recorded eight strikeouts, showcasing effective command by not issuing any walks.
 
In the final game of the tournament, the Beavers started strong when Aubrey Aukerman hit a sacrifice fly to get Jackie Larsen in. The Beavers extended the lead to 3-0 in the third when Mariah Stevenson singled to left center and batted in Larsen and Aimee Christenson. 
 
The Beavers found an even larger spark during the fifth inning. Aubrey Aukerman singled to right center, giving way for another Jackie Larsen run and making it 4-0. Molly Houts then came up to the plate and reached first on an error by Hillsdale's second baseman. This pushed the Beavers around the bags and brought both Larsen and Alexa Christenson into home plate, both unearned runs. HC would prevent the shutout in the bottom of the fifth on a double with one RBI. 
 
To close the day out, Aubrey Aukerman grabbed her third RBI of the game on a fielding error by the third baseman. This pushed Alexa Christenson to home plate and set Jackie Larsen up on third. Larsen would come home on the next at bat when Mariah Stevenson singled to shortstop, giving Larsen just enough time to make it to the plate. 
 
Jackie Larsen led the team in scoring against HC, marking four runs. Just behind her was Aimee Christenson who also led the team in hits with three. Aubrey Aukerman and Mariah Stevenson each played a pivotal role in the Beavers' victory with three RBIs each. 
 
Payton Prissel and Kiera Lucero split the pitching duties for BSU with Prissel pitching 3.2 innings and grabbing her second win of her collegiate career. Prissel allowed six hits and zero runs with two walks and one strikeout. Lucero allowed a hit and an earned run, while walking one batter in eight at bats. 
 
The Beavers now return home to prepare for The Spring Games. They'll head to Clermont, Fla. Mar. 6-14 and compete in 14 games at the Legends Sport Complex in Clermont. BSU kicks off the spring break trip with College of Staten Island at 8 a.m. CST Thursday Mar. 6. All games are available on the Fastpitch TV Network. 
 
For more information on the Bemidji State Softball program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversSB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like 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 and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).