MINNEAPOLIS (US Bank Stadium) -- The Bemidji State University baseball team held an opportunity to avoid a sweep Wednesday night at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, but Upper Iowa University used a walk-off hit to complete 6-2 and 4-3 wins. The Beavers (1-4) led the Peacocks (4-4), 3-1, in the sixth inning of game two before UIU scored three runs in the sixth and seventh.

Junior Scott Litchy tied game one at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning with his first home run of the season. The round-bagger matched a sacrifice fly by Alex George in the first inning by UIU, but the Peacocks regained the lead with a five-run fourth inning. Sophomore Gunner Olszewski sparked a late rally attempt with a double in the sixth inning. After stealing third, Olszewski was brought home by senior third baseman Duane Miller on a sacrifice fly. Litchy doubled to left center before senior first baseman Mason Bellew single to center field to put runners on the corners with two outs. A fly out one batter later ended BSU’s best attempt to gain momentum for a comeback.

Senior starting pitcher Logan Riedel (0-1) was credited with the loss after throwing 4.0 innings with six strikeouts and six earned runs allowed. Senior pitcher Luke Benge entered in relief and finished with no hits allowed and four strikeouts in 3.0 innings pitched. UIU’s starting pitcher Zachary Cain (1-0) threw a complete game en route to earning a win. Cain went 7.0 innings with seven hits allowed, three strikeouts and two earned runs allowed.

Senior infielder/outfielder Ben Boser tied game two in the fifth inning with his second hit of the night. A double to right field scored senior short stop Collin Eckman before senior designated hitter Ryan Rumpca singled to center field. Rumpca’s two-RBI single gave BSU a 3-1 lead that would last until the sixth inning. With one out in the sixth, the Peacocks drove in two runners on a single to left field to tie the game. BSU escaped the sixth but allowed two of the first UIU batters in the seventh to reach base, including the game-winning walk-off single to center field.

Junior pitcher Jack Wittwer (0-1) was credited with the loss after 0.2 innings and one strikeout with one earned run. Senior starting pitcher Ryan Fransen went 5.1 innings with four strikeouts and three earned runs on four hits allowed. UIU pitcher Tanner Poor (1-0) took the win for the Peacocks after finishing the final 2.0 innings with one strikeout, one hit and no runs allowed.

Bemidji State continues the first leg of its spring trip Friday with the first of a three-game series at Arlington Baptist College. The Beavers and Patriots are scheduled to throw the first pitch at 4 p.m. from Airhog Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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