SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Bemidji State University Baseball team battled No. 25 Augustana University (SD) in a doubleheader Sunday at Ronken Field, falling to the Vikings 5-1 and 11-2.
 
In game 1, Bemidji State managed four hits, including three doubles, but only scored once in the seventh inning. Augustana secured the win with a three-run fourth inning and added two more runs in the sixth. Josh Haugen recorded a career-high seven strikeouts over five innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits. Noah Drusch collected one hit and one RBI, hitting a double in his three at-bats. Beau Thoma added a double in his one hit. Joe Hansen scored one run and reached base with a hit and a walk.
 
Haugen faced 21 batters and threw 80 pitches, with 51 being strikes, but he also gave up a double, triple, and home run. Bret Inman entered in relief, pitching for one-third of an inning, giving up one hit and one earned run, while issuing a walk and hitting two batters. Castle Huggard closed out the remaining two-thirds of the inning without allowing a hit or a run, facing just one batter and recording a groundout.
 
The matchup began with a scoreless first inning for both teams. Bemidji State's Jack Feldman and Matt Filippi were retired in order, while Augustana's hitters were also kept off base by Bemidji State's pitching. In the fourth inning, the Vikings broke the deadlock when Weigel homered to left field, putting them ahead. The home team extended their lead to 3-0 with Pinnow's two-RBI triple, scoring Berg and Heinsch. Bemidji State trailed 3–0 after the fourth.
 
The sixth inning saw further action from the Vikings as Heinsch hit a two-run homer, increasing their lead to 5-0. Lundquist then reached base and advanced to third on a Bemidji State error, highlighting a challenging inning for the visitors. Bemidji State managed to get on the board in the seventh inning when Joe Hansen walked and later scored on a double from Drusch, bringing the score to 5-1. Despite this effort, Bemidji State could not close the gap further. The game concluded with the Vikings securing a 5-1 victory.
 
In game 2, Bemidji State scored in the first and eighth innings, highlighted by three doubles throughout the game. Augustana's offense proved dominant with 14 hits, including four doubles and three triples, contributing to their decisive victory. Beau Thoma recorded two doubles and drove in two runs, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. Jack Feldman reached base three times, scoring once and drawing two walks. Matt Filippi added a run and was hit by a pitch, also drawing a walk. Jacob Smith pitched 3 1/3 innings, striking out two batters, but allowed nine earned runs on 11 hits.
 
Smith struck out two batters with no walks but gave up three doubles and two triples. Connor Donlin relieved in the fourth inning, pitching 2/3 of an inning without surrendering a hit or run, although he issued two walks. Andrew Murphy delivered a solid performance in relief, tossing 3 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits, and striking out three. Riley Czech closed the game with 2/3 of an inning, allowing no hits or runs while striking out one and walking one.
 
Bemidji State scored early in the first inning when Feldman singled and Filippi was hit by a pitch, setting up Thoma's RBI double, which brought Feldman home. However, the Vikings responded with three runs, highlighted by a double from Berg that scored Weigel, giving them a 3-1 lead after the first inning. The Vikings extended their lead in the third inning with two runs. Berg, who had previously doubled, scored on a wild pitch, and Heinsch's triple set up a groundout RBI, putting them ahead 5-1.
 
The fourth inning saw the Vikings score four more runs, with Berg delivering a two-RBI double and scoring later on a wild pitch, widening their lead to 9-1. The Beavers showed a brief resurgence in the eighth inning. Filippi walked and advanced on a wild pitch, setting the stage for Thoma's second RBI double, narrowing the deficit to 10-2. The Vikings added one more run in the bottom of the eighth. Despite the efforts, Bemidji State fell short, with the final score standing at 11-2 in favor of Augustana.
 
The two teams meet again tomorrow for another doubleheader beginning at noon with game four slated for a non-conference matchup.
 
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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