April 21, 2003

BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Bemidji State University softball team successfully swept Minnesota State University-Moorhead today in NSIC doubleheader action today at the BSU Field 6-3, 3-1.

Game one was a pitcher's duel as the teams were scoreless into the top of the fourth inning. MSU-Moorhead broke the scoreless tie when they put two hits together and scored a run from third base on a SAC fly to left field. But BSU would come back to snatch the lead from the Dragons in the bottom of the inning.

The Beavers began the inning with a Betsy Hegland walk. Jess Radermacher followed Hegland to first when she was hit by a pitch. Jamie Fisher stepped to the plate with two players aboard and hit a double into left-center, driving in two runs to give BSU the 2-1 lead.

MSUM would capitalize on two Bemidji State errors in the fifth tying the game at 2-2.

But BSU would rally in the fifth inning for four runs to blow the game wide open. Megan Bray reached first for the Beavers when she came to bat and was walked with two out. Leah Bowen singled up the middle and advanced Bray to second. Radermacher followed with a double to the left-center fence as she collected her eighth and ninth RBIs of the season. Fisher again showed how she can be a clutch hitter as she added another run to the board when she reached on a error by the second baseman while Hegland scored from third.

The Dragons would add another run in the top of the seventh inning, but it was too little too late as BSU took the game 6-3.

Katie Hurst was on the mound for BSU and raised her record to 5-3 with the win. She went seven innings allowing six hits and two earned runs, while striking six MSUM plays out.

The second game saw BSU's Leah Bowen take the mound locked in another pitcher's duel. The BSU pitcher kept the Dragons well in check, allowing just five hits in seven innings of work for her second win of the year.

The Beavers struck first when they worked three runs out of the Moorhead pitcher. Bray got the rally started when she reached on a grounder to the shortstop. Hegland advanced the runner to second and reached when the Dragons elected to get Bray at second but were too late with the play. Jess Radermacher advanced Bray to third on a fielder's choice. Hegland was out on the play. Fisher got the Beavers on the board in a big way. With two of her teammates on base, she hit a three-run home run over the left field fence. The round-tripper was the first of her career.

And that was all the Beavers would need as the Dragons would only manage one run.

The Beavers brought their record to 7-6 on the season and improved their NSIC record to 7-4. They will be back in action this weekend as BSU hosts all ten NSIC schools for the NSIC Crossover. Games begin at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and will continue through the 5:00 p.m. games. Sunday games will again begin at 9:00 a.m. and will continue through 3:00 p.m. game.

-bsu-