WEST ST. PAUL -- Mariah Stevenson played the hero for the Bemidji State softball team on Friday, as the freshman third baseman belted a game-winning home run against Concordia-St. Paul.
Stevenson’s blast led to a 5-3 victory in game one of a doubleheader to snap an eight-game losing streak, while the Golden Bears came out as 5-3 winners at the end of a 13-inning game two in West St. Paul.
In game one, the Beavers (8-26, 5-9 NSIC) trailed 2-0 entering the seventh frame. But Elaina Christiansen led off with a single, and the rally was officially on. Despite a pair of outs with the next two batters, pinch-hitter Aimee Christenson walked to put the tying run aboard.
Soon after, BSU tied the game at 2-2 on a wild pitch-plus-error that scored two runs. And Stevenson really made it hurt with her three-run bomb to left-center field.
In the bottom of the seventh, CSP (24-9-1, 7-7 NSIC) plated one run and had the tying run up to bat, but Stella Dolan induced a 4-3 double play to end the game in style.
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Dolan earned the victory from the circle, going all seven innings and allowing three runs off seven hits while striking out six.
Although Dolan went the distance in the opener, Bemidji State had to dig into the bullpen for game two. The Beavers threw three pitchers in the finale -- including Dolan for 6 2/3 more innings on the back end.
BSU forced extras when Alexa Christenson scored on a sacrifice bunt in the seventh inning, tying the game at 3-3. Nobody scored for the next five frames, but Concordia-St. Paul finally plated the winning runs when Clara Heislen hit a two-run homer for the 5-3 walk-off.
Dolan suffered the loss in game two, allowing the two runs over her 6 2/3 frames. Alexa Christenson went an impressive 4-for-6 at the dish in game two, while Stevenson batted 3-for-5.
Bemidji State next meets No. 20 Minnesota State for a doubleheader, starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, in Mankato.