Malone University (Ohio) downed the Bemidji State University baseball team 6-2 and 9-6 Thursday in a doubleheader at the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational in Phoenix, Ariz. The Beaver starters struggled on the mound in the twin-bill, bringing BSU’s record to 2-3 to start the season.

The Beavers got down 5-0 after two innings to start game one against the Pioneers and couldn’t find a way back in the game, losing 6-2 despite matching Malone’s eight hits. Senior right-hander Ryan Gebur (New Prague, Minn.) had troubles finding a handle in his 2011 debut, allowing all six runs, five earned, on six hits, while allowing eight free passes (five hit batters and three walks).
 
BSU was able to turn the tides in game two and post a pair of runs in the top of the first and second frames to own a 4-0 lead. Sophomore Ryan Anderson (RHP, Lino Lakes, Minn.) started for the Beavers and held the Pioneers to zero runs through three innings, but the fourth doomed him and BSU as he could only record two outs before allowing six runs, all earned.

Senior Ryan Guy (RHP/OF, Fountain Hills, Ari.) relieved Anderson and got the final out of the inning. Down, but not out, the Beavers battled back and crossed the plate twice in the top half of the fifth to knot the game 6-6. Guy held Malone in the fifth, but the Pioneers posted another big inning in the bottom half of the sixth, getting three runs. The BSU bullpen had been steadfast up until that point for the green and white, keeping runners off the base paths and the scoreboard showing zeros. The three-spot was too much for the Beavers to overcome in the top of the seventh and they fell 9-6.  

Bemidji State plays a doubleheader against future Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference-foe Minot State University Friday, beginning at 12 p.m.