BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Baseball Field) -- The Bemidji State University baseball team opened its home weekend series with a split against Northern State University, taking a 5-3 win before a 12-1 loss Saturday at BSU Baseball Field. Junior Sam Kalberer extended his on-base streak to 19 games as the Beavers are now 5-24 overall and 4-20 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Game One – W, 5-3
Only one run was scored between both teams through the first four innings as the Wolves hit a solo home run in the third. NSU extended its lead to 3-0 on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single in the top of the fifth inning. Bemidji State recorded six of its seven hits during the fifth and sixth innings and came within two runs on a two-RBI single by junior Sam Kalberer. He extended his on-base streak to 18 games to set up BSU for a go-ahead inning in the bottom of the sixth.

BSU’s first two batters in the sixth reached base while senior Noah Boser drove in the game-tying run on an RBI single down the right field line. Sophomore Michael O’Malley followed with another RBI single during the next at-bat to give the Beavers the lead. Freshman Jack Munson hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring Boser in and give BSU a 5-3 lead.

Freshman pitcher Grant Hartmann started the game and went 5.1 innings before junior relief pitcher Kenny Morris (2-2) entered to pitch. Morris earned the win after throwing the final 1.2 innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout. His lone hit came in the top of the seventh but stranded the run to give BSU the win.

Game Two – L, 12-1
The Wolves built another 3-0 lead in game two, crossing one run in each of the second, third and fourth innings. Boser singled with one out to set up an RBI single by freshman Jack Munson to cut the deficit to two, 3-1, in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bemidji State was held scoreless over the next three innings as NSU jumped to an 11-run lead with two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings and four in the eighth, highlighted by a grand slam.

Bemidji State went 2-of-11 from the plate with runners on base and 1-of-5 with runners in scoring position, while seven were left on base through the game. Northern State was 9-of-27 with runners on base and went 3-of-5 with runners on third with less than two outs and 2-of-3 with the bases loaded.

Sophomore pitcher Alex Fietek (0-3) took the loss after throwing 5.1 innings with four earned runs allowed on eight hits with two strikeouts.

Bemidji State and Northern State finish the three-game series at 12 p.m. Sunday with a nine-inning contest at BSU Baseball Field.

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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