SIOUX CENTER, Iowa. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team (9-16, 0-2 NSIC) fought hard against Bemidji State (8-17, 2-0 NSIC), ultimately dropping both games, 5-3 and 3-1, on Sunday at the ASB Sports Complex. The series was originally set to be played in Marshall but was moved due to poor weather conditions.
SMSU opened the scoring right away in the first inning.
Mikayla Berge got on base by beating out a throw on a bunt and was moved to second by an
Abby Russell single. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch before
Jillian Noel grounded the ball to second base to plate Berge and give the Mustangs the early 1-0 lead.
The Mustangs used a
Jillian Noel double to plate their second run of the game in the fourth inning. Noel got into scoring position right away after hitting a lead-off double to right-center field.
Molly Bull scored Noel on a deep sac fly to center field and pushed the lead to 2-0.
BSU responded in the top half of the fifth, plating two runs to tie the game. Stephanie Ferguson led off the inning with a single to right field and advanced to third on a throwing error to first base to put runners on the corners with no outs. Alexa Christenson singled to drive in Ferguson and Aimee Christenson grounded out to shift the runners to second and third. Molly Houts tied the game on a sac fly to deep center field, giving BSU momentum going into the later half of the game.
Mikayla Berge again got it going for SMSU, leading off the sixth inning with a single, but was out at second the batter after. Noel reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a wild pitch.
Molly Bull delivered a big single to center field to again score Noel from second and give SMSU the lead.
Bemidji State would not go away, rallying in the top half of the seventh inning. The Beavers scored the tying run on a fielder's choice and took the lead the following at-bat with a single to center field. BSU added its insurance run on a wild pitch.
Karlie Miller (5-8) was dealt the loss in game one, allowing five runs (three earned) on nine hits, walking four, and picking up four strikeouts in a complete game.
Stell Dolan (6-8) earned the win, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out two.
The Mustangs tallied seven hits, with Berge going 2 for 3 to lead the bats. SMSU struck out twice.
The Beavers used seven two-strike count hits to elevate themselves over SMSU in game two. BSU kicked off the scoring in the second inning using a single and walk in back-to-back at-bats with the bases loaded to drive in their first two runs.
SMSU scored its lonely run of the game in the third inning. With two outs and the bases loaded,
Jillian Noel launched a deep fly ball to center field. The runners on first and third tagged up and Kramolisch scored before Berge got caught in a rundown to end the inning.
BSU added its final run in the top of the sixth inning.
Morgyn Otte (4-6) was dealt the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits and three walks while striking out four.
Elle Hastings (1-3) earned the win in game two, allowing just one run on eight hits and a walk while striking out two in a complete game.
SMSU strung together eight hits in the game two loss, with
Riley Kramolisch going 3 for 4 and
Mikayla Berge going 2 for 3 at the plate.
SMSU returns to the field tomorrow, playing Minnesota Crookston (7-19, 0-2 NSIC) in a doubleheader in Sioux Center, Iowa, with first pitch of game one at noon.
