Beavers Split Opening Day of 2021, Head back on the Road

The Bemidji State University softball team split its opening day of the 2021 season Wednesday afternoon at the WSP Dome in West St. Paul, Minn. The Beavers (1-1, 0-0 NSIC) began the season with an 8-1 victory over University of Minnesota Crookston but fell 9-5 to University of Jamestown in the following game.

Bemidji State was led by pitchers Stephi Dullum and Stella Dolan in the first game of the day as the two combined to allow just four hits, one run and 13 strikeouts. Dullum earned her first win of the season after she started the game and pitched five innings allowing just three hits, one run and struck out a career-high 10 batters. In her first appearance for the Beavers, freshman Stella Dolan came in relief to pitch two innings and allowed just one hit while earning three strikeouts to earn the save.

The Beavers were led at the plate by sophomore Emmarie Yeager who went 2-for-4 with a home run, one RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Ashley Herold and senior Sami Dullum led the Beavers after the pair each drove in two runs.

Bemidji State fell down early to Jamestown in the second game of the day and after two innings, trailed 5-0. The Beavers battled back to make it 5-4 after the top of the fourth but a four-run fourth inning by the Jimmies sealed their 9-5 victory.

Yeager once again led the Beavers at the plate by going 2-for-3 with two RBI while redshirt senior Lexi Derrick went 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

Redshirt freshman Kyla Damerow earned the loss in the circle in her first appearance of the season after allowing nine hits, four earned runs and struck out five.

Bemidji State returns to action Saturday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 21 when it travels to Minot, N.D., to participate in the Air-Supported Dome Invitational. The Beavers will face University of Mary and Minnesota Crookston Saturday followed by Northern State University and Minot State University, Sunday.