SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Bemidji State University Baseball team secured a 5-3 victory over Northern State University in game one of their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference series Saturday afternoon at Ronken Field in Sioux Falls, S.D. Bemidji State battled back after a one-run deficit in the fifth with three runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Its pitching staff of
Joey Koch,
Connor Donlin and
Castle Huggard held the Wolves to just three runs off six hits with Huggard pitching the final four innings allowing just three hits and one run to help the Beavers capture their first conference win of the season. Also Demonstrating exceptional defensive prowess, Bemidji State achieved a season-high 13 fielding assists.
Nash Rubins recorded two hits and scored a run, leading the offensive effort.
Beau Thoma contributed with a hit and an RBI while making three assists in the field.
Connor Donlin earned his second win by pitching an inning without allowing a hit or walk, striking out one.
Hunter Hyden added to the scoreboard by scoring once and collecting a hit. Huggard earned his first save of the season pitching four innings allowing one run, three hits and struck out four.
Joey Koch pitched four innings for Bemidji State, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out three batters. Koch threw a season-high 88 pitches. Donlin entered in relief, delivering a clean inning with one strikeout and no hits or walks, helping secure his second win of the season.
Castle Huggard pitched the final four innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and striking out four batters, earning a save, and recording a season-high total of 65 pitches during his outing.
NSU took an early lead in the third inning when Vining doubled down the left field line, bringing home Benson with the game's first run. The Wolves led 1-0 at the end of three innings.
Bemidji State responded in the bottom of the fourth. Hyden singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Matt Filippi.
Jack Feldman walked, and a fielding error by the Wolves allowed
Adrian Falcon to reach base and both Hyden and Feldman to score unearned runs. Bemidji State led 2-1 after four innings.
NSU tied the game in the fifth inning when Castella scored on a fielder's choice. Bemidji State regained the lead in the bottom of the inning.
Noah Drusch reached on an error and later scored unearned on another error, making it 3-2 for Bemidji State through five innings.
Bemidji State extended its lead in the sixth. Rubins singled and came home on a single by
Hudson Filippi, who achieved his first run batted in of the season but was thrown out trying to advance. Falcon then scored on a single by Thoma. Bemidji State led 5-2 after six innings.
The Wolves closed the gap in the seventh inning with a single from Soulek bringing in Lott, but Bemidji State held a 5-3 advantage through seven innings.
The eighth and ninth innings saw no additional runs, as Huggard closed the door to secure Bemidji State a 5-3 victory and their first conference win of the season.
The Beavers continue their winning ways as of late and extend their win streak to three, the longest for the Beavers since 2022.
The Beavers and Wolves will play a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 11 a.m., with their series finale Monday at Noon.
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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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