April 24, 2004

[BSU vs. MSU box][BSU vs. AC box]

MANKATO, Minn. -- In a rain-shortened first day of the Minnesota State, Mankato/American Legion Classic today, the Bemidji State softball club dropped an affair to Minnesota State, Mankato 10-1 before losing 6-0 to Augustana. BSU was scheduled to play #4 Nebraska-Omaha at 5:00 p.m. but was canceled due to rain.

Against the host-Mavericks, BSU placed at least one base-runner in each of the seven innings, including two to lead-off the inning. MSU stuck first with three runs on three hits, the big blow being a two-run blast by Shannon Dittman.

BSU put two runners on in the third after senior Shawne Koch walked and senior Jenna Grimsrud singled to center field. However, a ground-out killed that opportunity.

After MSU-Mankato tacked on three more runs in the fifth inning, BSU plated a run of its own in the bottom of the frame. Koch advanced to third on a ground-out after doubling to left center. She then scored on a Grimsrud single to center. Maverick hurler Terra Lewis, who relieved starter Lindsay Mamer in the fourth, set down the next batter to end the threat.

The Mavericks put up four more runs in the seventh inning sending eight batters to the dish. The scoring was highlighted by centerfielder Jessica Peters’ two-run triple.

BSU senior pitcher Leah Bowen took the loss, going the distance and allowing eight earned runs on 15 hits. Grimsrud compiled three hits and junior Jamie Fisher went 2x3 in the game.

In the 6-0 loss to Augustana, BSU junior hurler Katie McKenzie went the full six innings, allowing just six base hits and striking out one. The Vikings scored two runs in the first, one in the second and three in the fourth to take the non-conference contest. AC moves to 3-0 in the all-time series against the Beavers.

BSU drops to 1-25 overall on the season and next faces South Dakota State and South Dakota to wrap up the Classic tomorrow in Mankato, Minn.