BRANDON, S.D.-- The Southwest Minnesota State baseball scored a combined 23 runs and collected 25 total hits in sweeping Bemidji State in a NSIC doubleheader on Saturday at Aspen Park, winning 13-1 and 10-3. The two victories complete a four-game sweep for the Mustangs, who have now defeated the Beavers 15 straight times dating back to 2021.

In game one, Carter Petron (3-1) tossed five strong shutout innings to win his third straight start. He allowed one hit and struck out batters.

SMSU had 13 hits in the game with Evan Behn finishing 4 for 4 with three RBIs and his first home run as a Mustang. Cory Bantam had three hits and four RBIs to help the Mustang offense.

The Mustangs scored two runs in the first, two more in the second and blew the game open with a seven-run third inning.

In game two, the Mustangs scored six runs in the fourth inning to snap a 1-1 tie. Levi Lampert broke the tie with a two-run single, while Behn drilled a two-run double to push the lead to 5-1. Carter Lang followed with a two-run single to extend the lead to 7-1.

Caleb Gardow led SMSU with three htis, while Lampert, Jared Cortez and Lang each finished with two hits.

Shay Endres started and pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Cullen Huppert, Bennett Knapper and Jerod Cryus combined to throw 3 1/3 shutout innings of relief, while Cameron Jensed allowed one run in the ninth. Cyrus (2-0) earned the victory with three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.

SMSU is now 12-6 overall, 7-5 NSIC and will next step out of league play for a Tuesday afternoon game at Division I South Dakota State starting at 3 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was moved up one day. The Mustangs return to conference play next weekend with a four game series at Minot State.

BSU is now 1-17 overall, 0-12 NSIC.