LIBERTY, Mo. – The Bemidji State University Baseball team split a doubleheader at William Jewell College Friday in Liberty, Mo. In the first game, Bemidji State secured a commanding 20-3 victory, amassing 20 hits, including two home runs and five doubles, while capitalizing on four errors by the Cardinals. A pivotal sixth inning saw Bemidji State score eight runs, marking their highest run total in a game since 2017 and tying for the fifth most in program history. The Cardinals managed only seven hits and scored twice in the final inning.
 
Beau Thoma delivered a standout performance in the first game, scoring three runs and collecting a season-high total of four hits, including a home run, and driving in a season-high of four runs. Noah Drusch also contributed significantly, scoring three runs on three hits, one of which was a home run, and adding three RBIs, a season-high for him. Nash Rubins recorded a season-high total of four runs and three hits, including two doubles, while driving in two runs. Notably, Hunter Hyden recorded two or more RBIs for the second straight game. Jack Feldman added two runs, one hit, and two RBIs, alongside two stolen bases.
 
Bemidji State's pitching staff displayed a solid performance against the Cardinals. Carter Scanlon pitched a season-high of three innings, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out three batters. Castle Huggard followed with a season-high of four innings, surrendering five hits and two earned runs, striking out a season-best of four batters swinging, and walking only one batter. Despite the pressure, both pitchers combined for seven strikeouts and effectively limited the opposing team throughout the game.
 
Bemidji State took an early lead in the first inning when Beau Thoma doubled to left field, followed by Noah Drusch's two-run homer, giving them a 2-0 advantage. The Cardinals were unable to respond in the bottom of the inning. In the second inning, Bemidji State added to its lead as Nash Rubins scored on a sacrifice fly by Hudson Filippi, making it 3-0. The Cardinals again went scoreless, maintaining the lead for Bemidji State.
 
The third inning saw Bemidji State extend its advantage with Joe Hansen scoring on an error by the first baseman, increasing the lead to 4-0. The Cardinals managed to score their first run with an RBI single by L. Bies, cutting the deficit to 4-1 after three innings. Bemidji State tallied another run in the fifth inning when Matt Filippi scored on a throwing error by the catcher, making it 5-1. The Cardinals did not make any progress in their half, leaving the score at 5-1 through five innings.
 
The sixth inning was decisive for Bemidji State, which exploded for eight runs. Key hits included an RBI double by Cooper Anderson and a two-RBI single by Jack Feldman. This offensive surge brought the score to 13-1. The Cardinals did not score in their half, keeping the score 13-1 after six innings. In the seventh inning, Beau Thoma hit a solo home run, and Bemidji State continued its offensive dominance, ultimately leading to a 20-3 victory.
 
In the second game of the doubleheader, Bemidji State fell to William Jewell College in a high-scoring contest, 14-10. Despite a rally with a five-run seventh inning, the Cardinals' four-run eighth sealed the victory. Bemidji State recorded eight hits and drew eight walks, while the Cardinals capitalized on 10 hits and 13 walks to secure the win.
 
Matt Filippi contributed significantly in the second game with three runs, two hits, and one RBI, while also drawing two walks. Beau Thoma finished with three hits, one RBI, and scored once, leading the team in hits. Nash Rubins recorded two runs and one RBI, adding two stolen bases to his performance. Jeff Feldman added a run, a hit, and an RBI with a double and a stolen base.
 
Josh Haugen pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits while striking out four batters and walking four. Ethan Biehn entered for 2/3 of an inning, giving up one run without allowing a hit and issuing one walk. Lucas Ferreira faced five batters in 1/3 of an inning, surrendering one run on one hit and three walks. Andrew Murphy pitched 2 2/3 innings, conceding three earned runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out one. Jack Barnett closed the game with one inning, allowing one run on one hit with three walks and one strikeout.
 
Bemidji State fell behind early as the Cardinals scored five runs in the first three innings, including four in the third. The scoring in the third inning featured a series of unearned runs, highlighted by an RBI single by L. Burns and a two-RBI single from M. Wunderlic, giving the Cardinals a 5-0 lead through three innings. In the fourth inning, Bemidji State mounted a response with three runs, narrowing the gap with a single by Chris Koscielniak that drove in two runs.
 
The seventh inning saw Bemidji State rally with a five-run surge, taking advantage of defensive miscues by the Cardinals. Filippi's RBI single started the scoring, and errors allowed Rubins and others to score, closing the deficit to 10-9 through seven innings. Despite narrowing the gap, the Cardinals extended their lead in the eighth inning with a four-run burst, including a bases-loaded wild pitch and a two-RBI single by B. Ryan, setting the score at 14-10.
 
The game ended with the Cardinals securing a 14-10 victory over Bemidji State. The two teams will play one more doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m.
 
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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