BEMIDJI, Minn. – Concordia (24-17, 8-10 NSIC) split with the Bemidji State (10-27, 3-15 NSIC) losing 7-1 in the opener before winning 5-1 in game two. Calli Brennan (Mendota Heights, Minn.) and Brynn Larsen (Oconto Falls, Wis.) each had three hits and an RBI in the double header. GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX
GAME 1
Concordia left a runner on in the top of the first after Brennan had a two out single to center. The Beavers got on the board first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. The inning started with a single and walk; followed by a double to center scoring a run. After a pair of strikeouts from Ashley Kluever (Cottage Grove, Minn.) a passed ball allowed the second run to score, unearned.
The Golden Bears went down in order in the third for the second straight inning. BSU added another run in the bottom of the third thanks to a one out single up the middle. The Beavers would add two more in the bottom of the fourth after CU again went down in order in their half of the inning.
Trailing 5-0 after four innings of play, CU got on the board. Larsen was hit by a pitch to lead off the fifth inning and then stole second putting herself in scoring position with nobody out. After a strike out, Cassie Bertelsen (Oakdale, Minn.) hit a single to right field picking up the RBI. The score remained 5-1 in favor of Bemidji State after five innings.
In the sixth inning Concordia got a pair of hits, including a single by Katie Anderson (Mendota Heights, Minn.). She attempted to steal and break the school record for career steals but she was caught for leaving early and then after an Alicia Meiser (Shoreview, Minn.) single two outs followed ending the inning. BSU made it 7-1 in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a single with one out and then a two out single to shortstop. Concordia got a one out single from Abby Foster (Waverly, Iowa) but that would be all the Golden Bears got falling 7-1.
GAME 2
The second game was a pitcher's duel through the first five innings as both offenses were held scoreless. StephanieKappes (Circle Pines, Minn.) started the second game for CU and allowed just three hits in the first five innings without giving up a run. Bemidji State's starter C. Anderson threw the first three innings allowing five hits but did not allow a run.
The Golden Bears got a leadoff triple from Anderson in the first but failed to bring her home. Larsen reached third with one out in the second inning but again failed to score. BSU reliever K. Saralampi came in the fourth inning after the first two batters Erin Tjornhom (Eagan, Minn.) and Larsen singled off Anderson. Saralampi came in and got a pop out, a fielder's choice where Tjornhom was out at home and ground out to end the inning and keep the score 0-0.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the sixth inning. Concordia got a leadoff triple from Brennan. She would score on a one out single by Larsen. Larsen then proceeded to steal second and advanced to third on a ground out. Kappes helped herself out as she singled to right scoring Larsen.
After Kappes pitched around a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth, CU came to the plate looking to add some more insurance. Anderson and Meiser reached on one out errors before Brennan singled to right plating Anderson and moving Meiser to third. Tjornhom then hit a sac fly scoring Meiser and Brennan on the play. Kappes allowed a run in the seventh but finished the game going the full seven innings, allowing just one run and striking out six.
