BEMIDJI, Minn. – In its first home games of the 2026 season, the Bemidji State University Baseball team narrowly fell in both games of its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader against University of Minnesota Duluth Thursday at the BSU Baseball Field. The Beavers fell in a tight one-run game, 9-8, in the game one and then by three runs in game two, 9-6.
 
Minnesota Duluth took an early lead in game one with back-to-back home runs from Richardson and Lynch for a 2–0 advantage in the first inning. Bemidji State responded when Jack Feldman scored on a sacrifice fly by Nash Rubins, closing the first inning gap at 2–1. The Bulldogs extended their lead significantly in the second inning with a series of hits, ultimately leading to a six-run inning and an 8–1 advantage.
 
However, the Beavers regained momentum in the third inning, with several players contributing to a rally that closed the gap to 8–6. Adrian Falcon's two-run home run in the fifth brought Bemidji State to within one run at 9–8. Despite their efforts, the Beavers were unable to score in the final two innings, and the game concluded with Minnesota Duluth taking a narrow victory.
 
Falcon finished the game going 1-for-4 with a home run and drove in three runs. Nash Rubins contributed two RBIs with one hit, while Matt Filippi scored twice and added two hits. Joe Hansen added two hits, drove in two runs and earned a walk. Andrew Murphy was the standout pitcher for the Beavers, delivering five innings of relief with five strikeouts and allowing just one earned run. Beau Barry (2-4) earned the loss after allowing seven runs, four hits in 1 1/3 innings.
 
In the second game, Bemidji State again found themselves in a strong position, leading 5–4 after the third inning. Hunter Hyden made key contributions with a home run and two RBIs, while Beau Thoma recorded two hits and two runs. Nash Rubins also had two hits and an RBI, contributing to the team's offensive momentum. However, Minnesota Duluth's offense featured five home runs and capitalized on a late-game rally, scoring two decisive runs in the eighth inning to secure the victory.
 
The Beavers opened the second game strong, with Hunter Hyden hitting a two-run home run in the first inning. Matt Filippi's double and Adrian Falcon's follow-up double helped extend the lead to 4–2. A run in the third inning brought Bemidji State ahead 5–4, but the Bulldogs tied the game in the sixth and took the lead with a triple and double in the seventh. Despite Jack Feldman's RBI single that brought Bemidji State within two runs in the eighth, the Bulldogs added a solo home run in the ninth, and the game concluded with Minnesota Duluth winning 9–6.
 
The Beavers' defense turned a season-high three double plays in the game tying a program record and showcasing their excellent fielding ability.
 
Beau Thoma, Nash Rubins and Matt Filippi each recorded two hits in the game while Joe Hansen earned three walks, the most by a Beaver this season. Castle Huggard excelled on the mound for the Beavers pitching 3 2/3 innings in relief allowing just one earned run, three hits and stuck out two. Jacob Smith (1-3) earned the loss pitching 1 1/3 innings in relief allowing three earned runs, five hits and collected one strikeout.
 
Looking ahead, Bemidji State will face Sioux Falls at 1 p.m. CT Saturday, April 18 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
 
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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