BSU Softball continues homestand by hosting SMSU and Sioux Falls

The Bemidji State University softball team continues its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opening week by hosting Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Sioux Falls for a pair of doubleheaders Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3.

The Beavers (5-11, 1-1 NSIC) begin the weekend by hosting SMSU (10-6, 1-1 NSIC) Friday at 1 and 3 p.m., followed by the Cougars (7-9, 1-1 NSIC) Saturday at Noon and 2 p.m.

Bemidji State, SMSU and USF are each tied for fifth in the NSIC standings after each team split its NSIC opening doubleheader earlier in the week.

The Beavers rank 13th in the conference by hitting at a .245 batting average while its 66 runs scored this season is ninth in the NSIC. BSU’s pitching staff ranks 12th with a 4.43 team ERA and has allowed the fifth-most runs in the conference at 94.

Offensively, the Beavers are led by senior Lisa Kossan who is batting at a .364 clip and has produced 16 hits in 44 at bats, leads the team with four doubles and is tied for third on the team with seven RBI. Kossan also ranks second on the team with a .455 slugging percentage and leads the team with a .481 on-base percentage.

Kossan is followed by sophomore Emmarie Yeager who is batting .326 with 14 hits in 43 at bats. Yeager is also tied for third on the team with seven RBI and is tied for the team-lead with two home runs this season. The Annandale, Minn., native leads the Beavers with a .488 slugging percentage and is fourth in on-base percentage (.383).

In the circle, Bemidji State is led by senior ace Stephi Dullum who has compiled a 5-1 record in eight appearances so far this season. Dullum is eighth in the NSIC with a 2.02 ERA, ninth with a .218 opposing batting average and 10th with 46 strikeouts. She has earned the win in her last three starts and has pitched all seven innings during that streak.