Mar. 13, 2007

[box score]

SEARCY, Ark. (Jerry Moore Field) - The Bemidji State University baseball team earned its second consecutive victory, Tuesday, riding a five-run second inning and the strong arm of junior right-handed pitcher Tony Meech (Menahga, Minn.) to a 12-4 victory over Harding University at Jerry Moore Field in Searcy, Ark.

The Beavers got things rolling early taking advantage of a pair of Bison miscues in their second at bat.

After a scoreless first inning, Josh Juntunen (So., 1B, Elk River, Minn.) placed a single through the right side of the infield to get the Beavers started in the second. An Eric Pilgrim (Sr., LF, Park Rapids, Minn.) walk moved Juntunen into scoring position and both runners took a base on a passed ball.

Brian Simon (Jr., C, Owatonna, Minn.)drove in the first run of the game on a single to centerfield and BSU would go up 2-0 when Pilgrim scored on an error by the HU center fielder. P.J. McIntee (So., RF, Randolph, Minn.) kept the rally going singling through the right side and Rich Bohannan (Jr., 2B, Glendale, Ariz.) drew a walk to load the bases with just one out.

Bemidji State took a three-run lead on the very next pitch as the Bison catcher was unable to handle a pitch allowing all runners to move up a base with Simon taking home plate.

The second inning would come to an end but not before Josh Silvernagle (Fr., SS, Bismarck, N.D.) plated his first RBI of 2007 singling in McIntee while Bohannan scored the Beavers' fifth run on an errant throw.

After Meech quickly got his defense back into the dugout, BSU continued to build to its lead.

The Beavers scored two in the third when Simon came through in the clutch finding the gap in right-center field legging out his first triple of the season and driving in his second and third runs of the game, and two more in the fourth before Harding would get on the scoreboard.

Meech and the BSU defense would allow just five hits in the final four innings stranding four Bison runners on base.

Simon was 2-for-4 in the win and was one of three BSU players with two hits, joining both Silvernagle and Juntunen. Simon led the team with three RBI.

Dare Saul and Will McDonald paced HU as each went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the game.

Meech finished his nine innings of work allowing 11 hits and three earned runs. He walked just one and hit one batter in his first career complete game.

The Beavers riffled through six Bison hurlers on the afternoon. Lovette started and allowed five earned runs in two innings of work in the loss.

Bemidji State (2-13) will be back in action tomorrow when it travels to Topeka, Kan. to wrap up its road trip with a nine-inning contest versus Washburn University. The game's first pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m.

--bsu--