CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Bemidji State University Baseball team faced a challenging doubleheader against Winona State University on Sunday, suffering defeats in both games with scores of 16–3 and 7–1.
 
In the first game, Bemidji State's offense was highlighted by two doubles and a solo home run, contributing to their three runs. The Warriors secured an early lead, scoring five runs in the first inning and adding seven more in the second, ultimately collecting 16 hits. Noah Drusch made a significant impact with a home run and two RBIs, while Nash Rubins showcased his speed with two stolen bases and an RBI. Beau Thoma contributed defensively with six assists, a double, and a run scored. Hunter Hyden also added a double and a run.
 
Castle Huggard started on the mound for Bemidji State, pitching one inning while allowing seven hits and nine runs, eight of which were earned. He struck out two batters and walked two, facing 13 batters in total. Andrew Murphy relieved him, pitching 2/3 of an inning, giving up four hits and three runs (only one earned), without issuing any walks or strikeouts. Ethan Biehn pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs, with one walk and one strikeout, facing 20 batters.
 
The Warriors took an early lead in the first inning with key hits, including a two-RBI double by E. Patterson and a two-RBI single by M. Peterson, resulting in a 5–0 advantage. In the second inning, Winona State increased their lead to 12–0, highlighted by an error and another RBI double from Patterson. Bemidji State's offense came alive in the fourth inning when Drusch hit a two-run homer, scoring Hyden. They added another run in the sixth inning when Thoma doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Rubins' sacrifice fly. However, the Warriors responded with three runs, featuring a two-RBI single by Arendt, concluding the game at 16–3.
 
In the second game, Bemidji State fell again, this time with a final score of 7–1. The Warriors scored five runs in the second inning, quickly establishing a lead that the Beavers could not overcome. Bemidji State managed to score its lone run in the seventh inning, finishing with four hits and two stolen bases. Thoma contributed with a hit and a stolen base, while Rubins added a hit and made a significant defensive play with an assist. Joe Hansen recorded a hit and a stolen base while demonstrating his fielding ability with three assists. Connor Donlin pitched 2 1/3 innings, striking out three batters and allowing just one earned run.
 
Josh Haugen started for the Beavers, pitching 1 2/3 innings and allowing five earned runs on five hits, striking out one batter and walking three. Bret Inman followed but did not record any outs, issuing two walks. Donlin provided a steadier presence, allowing just one earned run on two hits while striking out three. Lucas Ferreira closed out with two innings, giving up one unearned run with one hit and one strikeout.
 
Winona State's scoring began with five runs in the bottom of the second, highlighted by Christian Mueller's two-run triple and Cody Weed's single that brought in two more runs. A bases-loaded walk capped the inning at 5-0. The Warriors added another run in the fourth and an unearned run in the sixth, extending their lead to 7-0. Bemidji State responded in the top of the seventh, with Matt Filippi reaching on an error and later scoring on a groundout, but the game concluded with a final score of 7-1 in favor of Winona State.
 
The Beavers next head to Wayne, Neb., for a four-game series at Wayne State College March 28-29.
 
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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