BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Baseball team made its 2025 home debut by earning a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference split with University of Minnesota Duluth Thursday at the BSU Baseball Field in Bemidji. The Beavers began their doubleheader with a 9-6 victory over the Bulldogs in game one but fell in game two, 16-6.
 
Senior Zach Evenson led the Beavers going 4-for-8 in the series with a home run, double and drove in six runs. The Beavers totaled 20 hits over the two games and tied a season high with 11 in their game one victory.
 
In game one, Bemidji State opened the scoring in the first inning when Beau Thoma scored on a double play, giving the team an early 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs responded in the second inning, scoring two runs. The Beavers tied the game in the third inning as Chris Koscielniak scored on Zach Evenson's fielder's choice, making it 2-2 through three innings.
 
In the fourth inning, Bemidji State took control with a four-run outburst. Matt Filippi and Adrian Falcon set the stage with singles, and after a fielding error, the pair came in to score. A two-RBI single by Evenson then pushed the lead to 6-2. The Bulldogs cut into the lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs to make it 6-4 after four innings.
 
The Beavers extended their lead in the sixth inning after taking advantage of an error againt when Dylan Hedley scored on a throwing error. Hunter Hyden added two more RBIs with a double, pushing their lead to 9-4. The Bulldogs managed to score two more runs in the seventh, but BSU held on, securing a 9-6 victory.
 
Thoma led the team with three runs scored, showcasing his ability to reach base and contribute offensively. Evenson was a key player with three RBIs, achieving this through two hits and a sacrifice hit in his three at-bats. Hyden contributed with two RBIs, including a double, highlighting his impact in crucial situations. Filippi was a standout on the mound, earning a win with four innings pitched, allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out one. Filippi also led the team with three hits, further demonstrating his versatility as both a pitcher and hitter.
 
Cole Smith stood out with an effective relief appearance, pitching one scoreless inning with one strikeout, allowing just one hit and securing a save, his second of the season. Hoffman also contributed with two innings of work, surrendering two earned runs on three hits and striking out one.
 
In the second game, the Bulldogs scored first in the opening inning. The Bulldogs extended their lead with a series of hits, , pushing the score to 6-0 after two.
 
The Beavers got on the board in the third inning when Evenson homered to right field for his team-leading seventh of the season. Minnesota Duluth answered with two more runs in the bottom of the inning. Bemidji State was held scoreless again until the seventh inning, where they rallied for three runs. Thoma's RBI single followed by Evenson's two-RBI double tightened the game to 12-4.
 
In the eighth inning, the Beavers added two more runs when Noah Drusch scored on a wild pitch, and Thoma was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing Filippi home. However, Minnesota Duluth responded with four additional runs in the bottom of the eighth, to secure a 16-6 victory.
 
Zach Evenson had a strong performance for the Beavers, hitting a home run and driving in three runs while also contributing a double. Beau Thoma drove in two runs with two hits. On the mound, Donlin pitched 1 1/3 innings without allowing any runs, giving up two hits and one walk.
 
Jacob Smith earned the loss pitching 2.2 innings allowing eight earned runs off nine hits and struck out two. Connor Donlin, Cayden Cincis, Sawyer Nendick, Bret Inman and Riley Czech all came in to pitch in relief highlighted by Inman who pitched 2.0 innings and allowed just one earned run without allowing a hit, struck out two and walked one.
The Beavers will now hit the road for a four-game series at No. 8 Minnesota State University, Mankato Saturday and Sunday.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State Baseball program, follow the Beavers on X, like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram.
 
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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