SHAWNEE, Kan. — Bemidji State University Softball faced a challenging day on Saturday, falling 7-0 to Missouri Western State University (15-3) and then losing 6-1 to the University of Central Missouri (12-2) at the Mid-America Sports Complex on the second day of the Top Gun Midwest College Classic.
In the first game against Missouri Western, the Beavers (3-10) managed four hits, including a double, showcasing some offensive sparks despite the shutout. The Griffons took control early, starting with a grand slam by Rachel Cain in the second inning that put four runs on the board, setting the score at 4-0. They continued to build their lead with an RBI triple from Ash Finarty in the third inning, extending their advantage to 5-0. Missouri Western scored again in the fifth when Sienna Reed, pinch-running for Finarty, crossed home plate on a double by Amiya Hernandez, making it 6-0. The Griffons added their final run in the sixth inning, with Kenedee Giddens scoring on an RBI single by Sydney Young, sealing the game at 7-0.
On the mound,
Danica Sarff started for the Beavers, pitching 1 1/3 innings and allowing four earned runs on two hits, including the grand slam. She faced nine batters, striking out one and walking two before handing the ball to
Keira Lucero, who provided stability with 4 2/3 innings of work, allowing three earned runs on seven hits, striking out two, and walking two over 83 pitches. Lucero managed to retire seven batters on groundouts and four on flyouts. At the plate,
Alayna DeGraef stood out with two hits in three at-bats, while
Jillian Johnson contributed a double, marking one of the team's few extra-base hits.
In the second game against Central Missouri, Bemidji State (3-11) was held to just three hits while Central Missouri took advantage with eight hits and three errors by the Beavers to claim the victory. The game opened with early action as Central Missouri jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning due to two unearned runs from errors. The Beavers responded when
Alayna DeGraef doubled through the left side and scored on a single by
Calleigh Richards, closing the gap to 2-1 by the end of the inning.
However, in the fifth inning, Central Missouri widened the gap after a walk and an error set up an RBI single by Emma McCall, extending their lead to 3-1. The Beavers couldn't capitalize in their half of the inning. Central Missouri sealed the game in the seventh inning, adding three more runs through a combination of hits and a passed ball, leaving the final score at 6-1.
Sydney Klusman pitched 6 1/3 innings for the Beavers, allowing seven hits and five runs, though only two were earned. She faced 29 batters, threw 93 pitches with 59 strikes, but didn't record any strikeouts.
Tibby Hessian made a brief appearance in the seventh, facing three batters, issuing two walks and allowing one hit and an unearned run.
Brianna Ness finished the game strong, striking out both batters faced in 2/3 of an inning without allowing a hit or walk.
Alayna DeGraef again contributed with a double and scored the Beavers' lone run, while
Calleigh Richards added an RBI with a hit and made two assists at third base.
Looking ahead, Bemidji State heads on the road to Melbourne, Fla. for the USSSA Space Coast Spring Games. Competition starts Mar. 6 with the Beavers taking on Cedarville University and Southern New Hampshire University.
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).
