Bemidji State ends spring trip with loss to St. Cloud State
The Bemidji State University baseball team took an early exit from its spring trip after a schedule change due to incoming weather and a 15-3 loss to St. Cloud State University. The Beavers fell behind by eight runs after the second inning before falling to 1-4 overall this season.
Junior pitcher Levi Arnold (0-1) started for Bemidji State with a quick appearance in the first inning, sending down three of the first four batters faced. The Beavers put two of its first three batters on base in the top of the second inning, including freshman infielder Zach Listiak in scoring position, but were sent down scoreless after a fielder’s choice and a strikeout.
The Huskies grabbed its only lead in the bottom of the second inning after a lead-off home run and left the frame with an eight-run lead. Only the first two runs scored by the Huskies in the second inning were earned, as Arnold’s time on the mound was done with 2.0 innings pitched, six hits allowed, two walks allowed, two earned runs allowed and two strikeouts.
After SCSU added one run in the third inning, Listiak hit a ground-rule double for his second trip in scoring position but was followed by two outs to end the scoring threat. SCSU recorded four straight hits and a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the fourth inning to push its lead to 12-0. The Beavers answered back in the fifth with three straight batters reaching base and a double play that allowed their first run to cross.
Bemidji State was unable to get any base runners on to start the sixth inning while St. Cloud State tacked on its final runs of the game in the bottom half with back-to-back triples and a home run. The Beavers again reached its first four batters on base to start the seventh inning, the last of which walked in a run. A double play resulted in BSU’s final run of the night as sophomore catcher Derek Dolezal scored.
Bemidji State left six runners on base and went 1-of-11 with runners in scoring position. Sophomore second baseman Tom Keohen led BSU with two hits, while Listiak and junior third baseman Parker Borg each recorded doubles.
Bemidji State will have a nine-day break between its next games when it will travel to Mankato, Minn., to take on Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Beavers and Mavericks will play a three-game series March 20-21 at Bowyer Field.