Lavin throws 7.0 scoreless innings as BSU takes 7-2 win over USF
Multiple RBI performances from three Beavers and 7.0 scoreless innings from sophomore pitcher Will Lavin gave Bemidji State University baseball a 7-2 win in the series finale against the University of Sioux Falls on Sunday in Brandon, S.D. The Beavers fell in game one of the day, 11-4, before the series finale win to move to 5-25 overall and 2-14 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Game One – USF, 5-4
Sioux Falls began the day with a 3-0 lead, crossing one run in the first inning on an RBI fielder’s choice and two in the second on an RBI single and RBI fielder’s choice. The first two BSU batters of the second inning were retired before senior Parker Borg sent his fifth home run of the season to right field to trail, 3-1. BSU’s next five batters reached base, including an RBI single from freshman Isaiah Biehn and a two-RBI single from freshman Hunter Daymond, to give the Beavers a 4-3 lead.
After a solo home run by USF to start the third inning and tie the game, BSU’s pitching staff retired 12 batters faced to take a 4-4 score into the seventh inning. The Beavers threatened to take the lead in the sixth inning behind two hits but left both runners stranded on first and second.
USF crossed seven run in the top of the seventh inning on seven hits and two BSU errors to take the win.
Senior pitcher Jackson Back started the game and threw 3.0 innings with four strikeouts, three walks and four runs allowed. Senior Alex Fietek threw 3.0 innings with one strikeout, one walk and no runs allowed. Daymond accounted for two RBI while Biehn and Borg each totaled one RBI.
Game Two – BSU, 7-2
Sophomore Wil Lavin (1-7) earned his first win on the mound after throwing 7.0 innings with no runs allowed and a career-high nine strikeouts. He allowed just four base runners through his seven innings of work.
BSU got the bats going in the third inning as junior Derek Dolezal doubled to center field followed by another single from senior John Perkins. Biehn recorded BSU’s third straight hit to drive in Dolezal and give BSU its first and final lead of the game. Daymond put a single to right field to drive in Perkins while senior Sam Kalberer knocked out his fourth home run of the season with two runners on base to push BSU’s lead to five, 5-0.
Perkins led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a walk and was moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt before Daymond singled to left field for his second RBI of the game. USF tabbed one run on a solo home run to start the eighth inning but Biehn came up with a two-out hit with two runners on base to push the Beavers’ lead back to six, 7-1.
Biehn, Daymond and Kalberer totaled two hits and one run each. Biehn and Daymond each finished with two RBI and Kalberer totaled three. Freshman pitcher Jacob Marx closed out the final 2.0 innings with two strikeouts and one walk allowed.
Bemidji State was scheduled to host Winona State University Tuesday, April 12 in Bemidji, but those games will not be played in Bemidji. They may be moved. BSU is also scheduled to play at Crookston Friday and Saturday.