MARSHALL, Minn. — Bemidji State University Softball (6-23) faced a tough doubleheader against Southwest Minnesota State University (19-13) on Saturday at Mustang Field, losing both games with scores of 10-2 and 8-1.
 
In the first game, the Beavers collected six hits, highlighted by a two-run rally in the fourth inning. The Mustangs accumulated 12 hits throughout the contest, taking an early lead in the second inning when Humpal singled through the left side and scored on a single by Hopp, setting the score at 1-0. By the end of the second, the score held at 1-0. The Mustangs widened their lead in the third inning with two more runs, courtesy of Van Dyke and Stych, with Van Dyke crossing the plate on a throwing error, pushing the score to 3-0.
 
Bemidji State answered back in the fourth inning. Calleigh Richards singled up the middle, followed by singles from Morgan Benedict and Aubrey Aukerman. Richards crossed home on Aukerman's single, and Lauren Beissel's single through the left side brought Benedict home, narrowing the gap to 3-2. However, Southwest Minnesota State responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth, bringing it to 4-2.
 
The turning point came in the fifth inning when Southwest Minnesota State exploded for five runs. Hopp's double to center field drove in two, and Ingalls tripled and scored on a throwing error. By the end of the fifth, the Mustangs led 9-2. They added one more in the sixth, sealing the final score at 10-2.
 
Danica Sarff pitched 4 1/3 innings for the Beavers, allowing eight hits and seven runs, six earned, with two strikeouts and two walks. She faced 23 batters, throwing 78 pitches with 48 strikes, and recorded seven fly outs and four ground outs. Sydney Klusman came on in relief, pitching 1 1/3 innings, giving up four hits and three runs, two earned, with no walks or strikeouts.
 
Aubrey Aukerman stood out with three hits and an RBI. Calleigh Richards contributed with one run and one hit. Morgan Benedict added to the tally with one hit and a run scored. Lauren Beissel bolstered the defense with three assists and chipped in with a hit and an RBI.
 
In the second game, Bemidji State took a tough 8-1 loss against the Mustangs. The Beavers tallied five hits and one run, but a six-run fourth inning by Southwest Minnesota State sealed the victory for the home team. Bemidji State got on the board first in the second inning when Morgan Benedict doubled to left center, setting up Lauren Beissel's RBI single to left field, bringing Benedict home and giving the Beavers an early 1-0 lead. However, Southwest Minnesota quickly answered with two runs in the bottom of the second, taking the lead at 2-1.
 
The fourth inning proved decisive as Southwest Minnesota State blew the game open. Marsh scored on a groundout, followed by Kramolisch's two-RBI single to left center. Van Dyke and Acker each added RBIs, and a defensive miscue allowed another run to score, totaling six runs in the inning. This stretch pushed Southwest Minnesota to an 8-1 advantage.
 
Bemidji State couldn't muster a comeback in the remaining innings, wrapping up the game with Southwest Minnesota State ahead 8-1. 
 
Tibby Hessian started in the circle for Bemidji State, pitching 3 2/3 innings. She allowed eight hits and six runs, five earned, while facing 19 batters with 63 pitches, 40 of which were strikes, and issued one walk. Brianna Ness came in for relief duty, tossing 2 1/3 innings and giving up four hits and two runs, one earned, with one walk.
 
Alayna DeGraef led the Beavers' offense in the second game with two hits in three at-bats. Benedict scored the team's lone run and added a double, showing her base-running prowess. Beissel chipped in with a hit and an RBI, contributing four assists on defense. Jillian Johnson matched Beissel's defensive effort with four assists, anchoring the infield.
 
The Beavers will look to bounce back in their next game against the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Sunday, March 29, at noon CT.
 
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).