April 17, 2002
box scores - [game 1][game 2]

FARGO, N.D. - The North Dakota State Bison swept a two-game non-conference double-header with the Bemidji State Beavers yesterday by scores of 11-9 and 7-2 at Newman Outdoor Field. BSU, which has lost three of its last four starts after winning six in a row, blew a 6-0 second-inning lead in Game 1 and scored just two runs in Game 2.

Ben Woodford, the NSIC Player of the Week, ran his hitting streak to 16 games with a 3 for 7 day at the plate. He went 2 for 4 with an RBI and three runs scored in Game 1 and was 1 for 3 with a walk and one run scored in Game 2.

Woodford singled to lead off the top of the first in Game 1 and later scored the game’s first run on a Shaun Ross fielder’s choice. Derek Owen’s RBI single to score Ross put BSU up 2-0 in the first, and after a Bison double-play to end the first inning BSU took its 2-0 lead into the second.

BSU loaded the bases with none out to lead off the second, and an RBI fielder’s choice from Woodford and a throwing error by NDSU shortstop Jeremiah Piepkorn would let in a pair of runs to put BSU up 4-0. Ross had an RBI groundout in the frame and Nate Olson drove in a run with a two-out double as BSU jumped out to a 6-0 advantage.

The Bison clawed back into the game with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the second off an error from BSU’s Tyler Norland, then pitcked up two more runs in the home half of the fifth on a two-run home run from DH Chris Volkmann to pull within two at 6-4.

NDSU then blew the game open with a seven-run sixth. Jackson Coleman cracked a two-run home run as just the inning’s second hitter, kick-starting a six-hit inning which saw seven Bison cross home plate. A two-RBI double from Ryan Perreault and RBI singles from Jason Brueski, B.J. Mazurek and Piepkorn fuelled the rally as the Bison surged ahead, 11-6.

Woodford led off the top of the seventh with his second hit of the contest, and later in the inning Derek Owen uncorked a three-run home run with two outs to pull BSU within 11-9. But Chris Dvorak flied out to short to end the rally and send BSU to its seventh loss of the year.

Stephen Heesen started on the mound for BSU, going 4 1/3 innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits. He struck out two and walked four before yielding to the bullpen. Dave Zothman recorded the final two outs of the fifth, allowing just one walk, and Brian Beuning came on to pitch the sixth. He lasted just 2/3 of an inning, allowing six runs (two earned) on four hits during the Bison rally in the sixth inning. Russell Berner allowed a run on two hits and recorded one out as BSU’s fourth pitcher of the day. Beuning took the loss for BSU and fell to 2-2 for the year.

Terry Tchida pitched a complete game for NDSU, allowing nine runs (six earned) on 12 hits. He struck out two and walked one to improve to 3-1.

NDSU took the field in Game 2 and put the game away early. The Bison grabbed a 3-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first and a single run in the second, and after BSU pulled within 3-2 on a two-RBI single from Nate Olson in the top of the third plated two more runs in the home half of the third to go ahead 5-2 and put the game away. The Bison added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth for the game’s final 7-2 score.

BSU’s 1 through 4 hitters recorded six of BSU’s seven hits in the contest, finishing a combined 6 for 13 with two RBI and two runs scored. BSU’s 5 through 9 hitters, however, went just 1 for 14 with four strikeouts.

Al Ryan got the start for BSU in Game 2, going 4.0 innings and allowing five runs (two earned) on 11 hits. He struck out three and walked three, taking the loss for BSU to fall to 0-2 for the year. Mike Cannon pitched the game’s final two innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.

Darin Gronwold pitched five innings for NDSU, allowing two runs (two earned) on four hits. He struck out two and walked four, earning the win for the Bison to improve to 3-1. Todd Fuller and Shane Hendrickson each pitched one scoreless inning in relief.

BSU dropped to 12-8 with the double-header sweep and has lost three of its last four decisions. North Dakota State improved to 18-7 for the season and has won all three games against BSU this year. The Beavers are back in action April 17 for a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference double-header at Minnesota, Crookston. The twinbill will cap the season series between BSU and UM-Crookston, as the Beavers swept an April 10 double-header between the rivals in Bemidji, 16-2 and 9-3.