BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Softball was set to host Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opening weekend this Friday and Saturday, but games have been move to Sioux Falls, S.D. and Wayne, Neb. ahead of inclement weather. The Beavers take on the Augustana University Vikings at 1 and 3 p.m. Friday followed by the Wayne State Wildcats at 12 and 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Beavers enter the conference opener at 6-17 overall, grabbing three wins at the Space Coast Spring Games two weeks ago. The team's most recent win came from a 9-5 decision over Goldey-Beacom College on Mar. 10 where freshman
Kassandra Balabon led the team with three runs and five at bats, tied for first with two hits. Sophomore pitcher
Keira Lucero earned her first win of the season, the second of her career, with two strikeouts, three flyouts and six ground outs over 3.2 innings. As a team, the Beavers lead the nation in double plays and double plays per game with 16 so far this season.
The Vikings are currently 7-14 overall with a three-game winning streak. This is a stark contrast to last season's successes as the Vikings took the top spot in the NSIC with a 25-3 record in conference play, 50-11 overall. By this time last season, AU had just six losses and 18 wins under their belts. Kierra Lubovich leads the team with a .424 batting average, taking second on the team in hits with 28. Andrea Cain has had a habit of hitting home runs, leading the team with six already this season. Augie's top pitcher is Helene Krage who holds a 3.70 ERA and 2-4 record. With three complete games, she has pitched 47.1 innings and struck out 31.
Wayne State is holding onto second in the NSIC for overall record with 20-4. The Wildcats are on a three-game winning streak, coming off an eight-win week at the National Training Center Spring Games in Clermont, Fla. The Wildcats take on University of Minnesota Duluth Friday afternoon ahead of hosting the Beavers. Emilee Marth leads the Wildcats with a batting average of .478, boasting 33 hits in 69 at bats with four home runs. WSC's pitching room is a dominant force this season, boasting a combined ERA of 1.56, ranking fourth in NCAA Division II. They also lead the nation in hits allowed per seven innings with an average of 4.32. Two pitchers in particular, Taylor Coleman and Kennadi Borngrebe, are both ranked in the top 10 nationally for the same category. Coleman is also second in strikeouts per seven innings.
Following this weekend, the Beavers stay on the road, traveling to Marshall, Minn. to take on the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs on Mar. 28 and back to Sioux Falls, S.D. Mar. 29 against University of Sioux Falls. All NSIC matchups are available for streaming on the NSIC network.
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).
