SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Bemidji State University softball was swept by the University of Sioux Falls Monday afternoon. After falling 13-7 in the first game, the Beavers struggled to get on the board in the second, falling 9-0 in six innings.
In game one,
Elle Hastings pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing 10 runs, 8 of which were earned, on 8 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 1.
Danica Sarff followed with 4 innings pitched, giving up 3 earned runs on 3 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts.
Keira Lucero made the final appearance late in the final inning, during which she allowed 1 hit and 2 walks, but did not give up any runs.
Jackie Larsen led the team with two hits, including a double and a triple, scoring one run in her four at-bats.
Calleigh Richards made a significant impact with two hits and two RBIs, also contributing a double in her three at-bats.
Maddie Kielsmeier delivered a notable performance with a double and three RBIs, scoring once in her single at-bat.
In the second game of the afternoon,
Kennedy Joachim pitched 5 1/3 innings for Bemidji State against the University of Sioux Falls, allowing 12 hits, 9 runs, and 9 earned runs, while striking out 3 batters and walking 2. Joachim's performance saw her give up 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run. She faced 29 batters, with 8 flyouts and 4 groundouts recorded. Despite the challenges, Joachim managed to keep the bases clear of walks in the first inning and struck out 2 batters while facing runners in scoring position.
Offensively,
Mariah Stevenson contributed with one hit in two at-bats and defensively with three assists.
Aimee Christenson recorded a hit in her two at-bats and made two assists in the field. In the past four games, Christenson has led the team with a .636 batting average, amassing 11 at-bats, seven hits, a run, and an RBI.
Bemidji State now holds an overall record of 14-18, while USF has a record of 17-15. The Beavers are 2-8 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and now travel to St. Cloud, Minn. Tuesday to take on the Huskies.
Earlier this season, the Huskies downed the Beavers during the Kelly Laas Memorial Tournament in St. Cloud. BSU fell in its second game of the season, 4-1, then closed the tournament with a 5-0 loss to SCSU.
The Huskies are 25-10 this season, holding seventh in the conference at 4-3. After losing to Wayne State College 1-0 Saturday, the second game of the double header was cancelled. Prior to their trip to Wayne, Neb. the Huskies split a series with Augustana University in Sioux Falls.
This season, the Huskies are led at the plate by Brooke Holmes who boasts a .425 batting average with a 1.153 on-base percentage. She has totaled 120 at bats with 38 runs, 51 hits, 10 doubles, a triple and six home runs with 31 RBIs. On the mound, the Huskies' pitching staff is stacked with two pitchers with ten wins, Macey Clark (10-5, 1.91 ERA) and Emma Eickhoff (10-0, 2.40).
Tuesday's games are set to kick off at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. from the Husky Dome. Both games are available on the NSIC Network for live streaming. 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).
