BEMIDJI, Minn. — Minnesota State (29-21, 16-10 NSIC) secured a decisive doubleheader victory over Bemidji State (10-39, 4-22 NSIC) on Sunday, April 26, with commanding scores of 12–1 and 12–2 at BSU Softball Field. The Mavericks showcased their offensive prowess, tallying nearly 30 hits across both games.
Game 1 | Minnesota State 12, Bemidji State 1
MSU opened the first game with a strong offensive surge, scoring six runs in the first inning. Shortstop Chloe Brandt walked, and
Maddie Helin singled, setting the stage for
Hannah Tong's three-run homer. Junior
Maddie Oetzmann later doubled, driving in two runs, followed by
Carly Kimmes' single to bring Oetzmann home. The inning concluded with a 6–1 lead for the Mavericks, who maintained control throughout the game.
In the second inning, the Mavericks extended their lead with Brandt and Helin reaching base. Gianna Lara's double, coupled with a throwing error, brought in both runners. Tong added an RBI single, and Oetzmann drove in another run on a fielder's choice, ending the inning with a commanding 10–1 lead.
The Mavericks added two more runs in the fourth inning, thanks to Nyah Hulbert's single and
Izzy Hycnar's two-run homer, finalizing the score at 12–1.
Tong pitched 1 inning without allowing a run, surrendering two hits and issuing one walk. Oetzmann earned her 14th win of the season after pitching four innings, allowing five hits and one unearned run, while striking out two and walking one.
Tong recorded four RBIs and hit a home run, while Brandt scored two runs and added a hit. Lara tallied two RBIs with a double and scored a run, while Hycnar finished with two runs and two RBIs, including a homer.
Game 2 | Minnesota State 12, Bemidji State 2
In the second game, Minnesota State continued its offensive onslaught, highlighted by an explosive seven-run seventh inning to secure a 12–2 victory. The Mavericks opened the scoring in the first inning with Lara's two-run homer, bringing in Brandt for an early 2–0 lead.
The third inning saw Brandt advance to third on a bunt by Helin, followed by Lara's RBI single to increase the lead to 3–1. Finley Anderson contributed in the fourth inning with a double, driving in Kimmes, then Tong added an RBI single in the fifth, bringing the score to 5–1. BSU managed an unearned run in the sixth, narrowing the gap to 5–2.
The pivotal seventh inning saw MSU score seven runs, including a crucial two-RBI double from Anderson and multiple runs scoring on passed balls and wild pitches. Hulbert added an RBI single, extending the final score to 12–2.
Jorey Fry led the pitching efforts for Minnesota State with four innings pitched, allowing four hits and one earned run, while
Lucy Porter and
Reese Falish provided scoreless innings in relief.
Lara led Minnesota State with four RBIs and a home run, contributing two hits and two runs. Brandt excelled with three hits and three runs, while Hulbert added three hits and a double. Anderson drove in three runs with two doubles, tallying two hits and one run.
The Mavericks' next game will take place against Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, May 2, at noon at the MSU Softball Complex in Mankato, Minn.
