April 18, 2004

[BSU vs. CSP box] [BSU vs. WSC box] [BSU vs. NSU box]

CROOKSTON, Minn. -- Wrapping up play at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Crossover today, the Bemidji State softball team had a busy day but fell three times, 0-15 to Concordia-St. Paul, 1-17 to Wayne State (Neb.) and 0-12 to Northern State. Freshman Nikki Eckebrecht was the BSU offensive leader with a 3x8 effort, including an RBI double against Wayne State.

In Game 1, the Golden Bears were held in check through the first three innings with junior Katie McKenzie taking the hill. McKenzie flew through the order in the first frame before giving up four runs on five hits in the next two innings. Then, C-SP exploded for five runs in the fourth and eight in the fifth to take a 15-0 lead. BSU received a hit apiece by senior Jenna Grimsrud and Eckebrecht.

McKenzie took the loss going three innings and giving up four earned runs on six hits. Senior Leah Bowen, who is hampered by an ankle injury, pitched two innings of relief.

The Wildcats notched five runs in the third inning of Game 2 to take a 6-0 lead and had plenty of offensive firepower in the NSIC victory. McKenzie again started on the mound, tossing four innings and allowing six earned runs on 11 hits. Eckebrecht went 2x3 and Grimsrud scored a run.

In the final contest of the tournament hosted by Minnesota-Crookston, the Wolves of Northern State tallied three runs in the third and cruised to the one-hit shutout. Grimsrud broke up the Christi Schulte no-hitter in the sixth inning with a single. Bowen got the loss as she went four innings allowing six earned runs on seven hits in the start.

With the tournament losses, the Beavers fall to 0-20 overall and 0-13 in the NSIC. It is the second worst start since the 1985 team went 0-22.

BSU will host its final opponent of the 2004 season as Minnesota Duluth comes to Bemidji, Minn. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 20 at the BSU Softball Field.