WAVERLY, Iowa – The Bemidji State University Baseball team narrowly fell in both games of its doubleheader against Winona State University by scores of 4-3 and 5-4 (10 innings) on Saturday in Waverly, Iowa.
 
In the first game, Bemidji State took an early lead by scoring in the first two innings, but Winona State responded with a decisive three-run fourth inning and added another run in the fifth to secure the win. Bemidji State's efforts in the seventh inning fell short, despite outhitting WSU eight to five.
 
In the second game, Bemidji State rallied with two runs in the seventh and another in the eighth to tie the game, but Winona State clinched the victory with a walk-off run in the tenth inning. The Beavers recorded eight hits, including a solo home run, but their comeback fell just short.
 
In the first game, Bemidji State took an early lead in the first inning when Thoma singled and advanced to third on a Drusch single and a sacrifice bunt by Hunter Hyden. Joe Hansen grounded out to shortstop, allowing Thoma to score. The inning ended with Bemidji State leading 1-0.
 
In the second inning, Jack Feldman and Nash Rubins each singled, followed by Adrian Falcon's infield single to load the bases. Hudson Filippi hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Feldman to score and extend Bemidji State's lead to 2-0.
 
WSU responded in the fourth inning. After two walks, Jake Funke hit a three-run homer to right field, giving the Warriors a 3-2 lead. The Warriors added to their lead in the fifth inning with a leadoff single by Grant Hietpas, followed by a sacrifice fly by Dylan Harer, making it 4-2 in favor of WSU.
 
Bemidji State narrowed the gap in the seventh inning when Thoma was hit by a pitch and advanced to third after a walk and a flyout. Filippi reached on an error, allowing Thoma to score an unearned run. However, the comeback fell short as the game concluded with the Warriors winning 4-3.
 
In the second game, Winona State's offense struck in the third inning, scoring four runs with an RBI double by Strecker and a three-run homer from Wall, opening up a 4-0 lead for the Warriors.
 
Bemidji State responded in the fifth inning with a solo home run by Hyden, narrowing the gap to 4-1 through five innings. In the seventh inning, the Beavers added two more runs when Drusch and Matt Filippi scored on a double by Hyden, bringing the score to 4-3 with Winona State still leading.
 
The eighth inning saw Bemidji State continue its comeback. Thoma doubled and was driven in by a double from Drusch, tying the game at 4-4 through the eighth inning.
 
In the tenth inning, Winona State capitalized on a Bemidji State error, with Wall advancing to third on a wild pitch and scoring the winning run on an RBI single by Patterson, resulting in a 5-4 final score in favor of Winona State.
 
The two teams meet again tomorrow at Noon for another doubleheader to close out their series.
 
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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