BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Softball faced Minnesota State University, Mankato in a doubleheader at BSU Softball Field on Sunday, suffering defeats in both games with scores of 12-1 and 12-2.
 
In game one, Bemidji State struggled against Minnesota State, managing only one run in the first inning. The Mavericks took an early lead with a three-run homer by Hannah Tong, followed by three additional runs, ending the first inning with a 6-1 advantage. Bemidji State's lone run came when Jackie Larsen scored on a throwing error after Aubrey Aukerman's single.
 
Minnesota State added to their lead in the second inning with a two-RBI double from Gianna Lara and an RBI single from Tong, pushing the score to 10-1. The third inning saw no scoring from either team, but Minnesota State continued its dominance in the fourth with a two-run homer by Izzy Hycnar, concluding the game at 12-1. 
 
Bemidji State's pitching faced challenges, with Keira Lucero starting and allowing six earned runs on four hits. Tibby Hessian gave up four runs (three earned) in relief, while Brianna Ness pitched four innings, allowing only two earned runs, striking out one. At the plate, Aukerman had two hits, including a double and an RBI, while Larsen contributed one hit and a run scored.
 
In game two, the Beavers again faced a tough matchup, falling to Minnesota State with a final score of 12-2. The Mavericks opened the scoring with a two-run homer by Gianna Lara in the first inning. Bemidji State responded in the second, with Jackie Larsen driving in Jillian Johnson to narrow the score to 2-1.
 
Minnesota State extended their lead with an RBI single from Lara in the third and an RBI double from Finley Anderson in the fourth, making it 4-1. They continued to pull away in the fifth with another RBI single by Hannah Tong and scored in the sixth on a fielding error to bring the score to 5-2. 
 
The seventh inning proved decisive, as Minnesota State exploded for seven runs, including a two-RBI double by Anderson, to secure their victory at 12-2. 
 
Brianna Ness started the game but pitched only 1/3 inning, allowing one hit with no runs. Sydney Klusman took over, enduring 6 1/3 innings, giving up 17 hits and 10 runs (nine earned). Danica Sarff closed the game, allowing two runs on walks and wild pitches. Larsen shone offensively with three hits, while Ness added two hits, including a double. Jenna Burd also contributed a hit and a stolen base.
 
Bemidji State now holds an overall record of 10-39 and a conference record of 4-22, while Minnesota State improves to 29-21 with a 16-10 conference mark. In their next game, Bemidji State will face Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, May 2, at noon in St. Paul, Minnesota.
 
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).