Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box
MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State defeated Bemidji State 5-4 in eight innings in walk-off fashion in game one before suffering a 4-2 loss in game two to split games on Saturday at Mustang Field.
The doubleheader was Senior Day for Southwest Minnesota State's seniors:
Katelyn Kalkman,
Alysse Luttmann,
Kailey Hanson and
Erica Downing.
SMSU (25-21, 14-10 NSIC) scored in the second and third innings after BSU committed an error to lead 2-0 after three innings. The Mustangs added a run in the fourth to lead 3-0 after
Jazmyne Neely doubled to left field to bring
Kailey Hanson around to score.
BSU (17-23, 8-16 NSIC) scored its first run after a home run to center field put it on the board in the fifth.
Katelyn Kalkman responded for the Mustang in the bottom of the fifth with a double down the left field line to score
Erica Downing and pushed SMSU's lead to 4-1.
The Beavers would not go down easily, as they hit a two-run homer in the sixth to cut the lead down to one and tie the game up at 4-4 in the top of the seventh.
The game went into extra innings for the first time for the Mustangs this season as they went on to win after
Alysse Luttmann singled to lead off the eighth inning and later scored after the ball was dropped by the BSU left fielder.
Hanson finished 1 for 2 with two runs scored in game one, along with
Jazmyne Neelying finished 1 for 2 with an RBI.
Alex O'Connor started the first game and pitched the complete game giving up five hits with four runs (three earned) while striking out nine batters.
In game two, BSU scored a pair of runs in the second inning on passed balls to lead 2-0 after two innings. The Beavers added a run in the third from a home run before adding an additional run in the fifth with another homerun to lead 4-0.
SMSU tried to rally in the sixth after
Karmann Carroll tripled to right center to score Hanson, followed by
Taylor Koloc ripping a ball to right center at the following at bat to score Carroll. The BSU defense held strong to hold off SMSU and split the doubleheader.
Carroll finished 2 for 3 from the plate with a run scored and an RBI, while
Elissa Reinsma went 2 for 3.
O'Connor (17-13) started the second game and was relieved after 4 1/3 innings by Eric McDurmont. O'Connor gave up the four runs (two earned) while striking out two and walking one in the loss. McDurmont finished the game pitching 2 2/3 innings and struck out three batters while walking one.
Southwest Minnesota State will host final home game on Wednesday versus Minnesota State at 2 p.m.
