Beavers open 2024 season against Wildcats in Elkhorn, Neb.

BSU Baseball to play four-game NSIC series with Wayne State College Feb. 9-11

The Bemidji State University Baseball team opens its 2024 season this weekend against Wayne State College in Elkhorn, Neb., at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park. The Beavers play four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) games against the Wildcats this weekend starting Friday and ending Sunday.

The series starts with a single nine-inning game Friday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. The teams then play a doubleheader Saturday beginning with a seven-inning game at 12 p.m. followed by a nine-inning game. The Beavers then close the series with the Wildcats Sunday at 12 p.m.

Bemidji State returns to the field for 2024 looking to improve upon a two-win 2023 season. The Beavers were voted to finish 14th in the 2024 NSIC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll with senior Jack Munson and sophomore Christian Lindow highlighted as the Beavers’ Preseason Players to Watch.

After graduating nine seniors last year, the Beavers enter this season with 14 freshmen, 11 sophomores, 13 juniors, and four seniors.

Key players returning for the Beavers include the first baseman Munson, who led the team in batting average (.335), OPS (.938), slugging percentage (.569), doubles (12), triples (3), home runs (7) and RBIs (29). Also returning is second baseman Jackson Schaffer who batted .275 with 11 RBIs, outfielder Ty Karger who batted .225 with 20 RBIs and outfielder Hunter Daymond who batted .207 and led the team with seven stolen bases.

Pitching looks to make improvements from last season leading with sophomore starting pitcher Christian Lindow who pitched in 12 games last season and led the team in WHIP (1.74) and picked up the Beavers’ lone save of the season. Returning to pitch in relief in 2024 is prominent bullpen arm senior Konrad Kisch, who pitched 11 games in relief with 17 strikeouts in 23 innings.

Beaver head coach Matt Ellinghuysen returns for his third season as head coach for the BSU Baseball program and added new assistant coach Davis Schaefer to his coaching staff.