BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Softball team made its 2025 home debut Wednesday and split its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader with University of Minnesota, Crookston at Chet Anderson Stadium in Bemidji.
 
After narrowly falling 4-2 in the series opener, the Beavers (16-24, 3-13 NSIC) bounced back to win game two 9-1 after freshman pitcher Kennedy Joachim pitched a complete, five-inning game allowing just one earned run off seven hits to earn her 10^th win of the season.
 
The Beavers snapped a six-game losing streak with the game two victory and improved their record to 3-13 in conference play.
 
Game one began with a scoreless first inning for both teams. In the second inning, the Beavers managed two hits but left the bases loaded. The third inning saw the Golden Eagles hitting into a double play, keeping the score tied at zero. The fourth inning marked a shift as the opposition scored two runs off a triple, moving ahead 2-0. The Beavers responded in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single from DeGraef, narrowing the gap to 2-1. In the fifth, Minnesota Crookston added another run to extend their lead to 3-1. Bemidji State scored again in the sixth inning with an RBI single from Avery Amidon, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The visitors secured an additional run in the seventh inning, leading 4-2. Despite efforts in the bottom of the seventh, the Beavers were unable to score, resulting in a 4-2 victory for the Golden Eagles.
 
Molly Houts contributed significantly for BSU recording a double and scoring once in her two at-bats. Amidon also stood out with two hits in three at-bats, driving in one run. On the mound, Danica Sarff pitched three innings, tallying five strikeouts and allowing only two hits. Despite her efforts, she was charged with the loss. Alayna DeGraef, playing catcher, provided offensive support with one hit and one RBI, while defensively assisting on three plays.
 
Payton Prissel contributed one inning of relief, striking out two batters and allowing two hits and one earned run. Kennedy Joachim closed the game with three innings, giving up three hits and one earned run while striking out one batter. Overall, Bemidji State's pitchers combined for eight strikeouts and nine hits allowed across seven innings.
 
Bemidji State secured a decisive victory in game two with effective batting and strategic plays. In the second inning, Bemidji State took the lead when Aubrey Aukerman singled and advanced on a fielding error, allowing Houts to score an unearned run. The score was 1–0 after the second inning while the third inning was pivotal, with Bemidji State adding four runs. Aimee Christenson doubled, and subsequent hits by Alexa Christenson and Mariach Stevenson drove in runs. Houts contributed with a triple, bringing in another run, and then scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 5–0 after three innings.
 
In the fourth inning, Minnesota Crookston managed to score a run but Bemidji State responded in the bottom of the inning with a RBI single by Al. Christenson, bringing the score to 6–1. In the fifth inning, Bemidji State showcased their offensive strength once more, scoring three additional runs. Calleigh Richards doubled, advanced on an error and later scored, followed by Amidon and Morgan Benedict driving in runs with back-to-back doubles.
 
Bemidji State maintained their defensive hold, preventing further scoring by Minnesota Crookston in the final inning. The game concluded with Bemidji State achieving a 9–1 victory, highlighted by 12 hits and no errors.
 
Molly Houts led the Beavers by contributing three runs while also recording two hits including a triple and an RBI. Aimee Christenson added two runs and hit a double, further boosting the team's offense. Mariah Stevenson was consistent at the plate collecting two hits, one run, and an RBI.
 
Joachim delivered a complete game performance, pitching five innings and allowing 1 earned run on 7 hits. Joachim struck out 4 batters and issued only 1 walk, facing a total of 23 batters. Joachim threw 88 pitches, 56 of which were strikes, and managed to keep Minnesota Crookston hitters to just two doubles and a single run, leading to the Beavers' victory.
 
The Beavers now hit the road for a pair of NSIC doubleheaders at Wayne State College and No. 14 Augustana University, Saturday-Sunday, respectively.a
 
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).

--bsu—