BOX SCORE

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.  – The Northern State University baseball squad opened up their 2010 campaign at the H.H.H. Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn. Sunday, and lost their season opener by a 10-2 score to NSIC foe Bemidji State in non-conference action. 

 

The two teams had planned to play a doubleheader today, but the second game was halted due to time constraints and will be finished before tomorrow's doubleheader.

 

The loss starts the Wolves' season out with an 0-1 record.

 

Both teams went scoreless through the first full inning before Northern State got on the board in the top of the second.  Junior right fielder Michael Cross opened up the inning with a single to centerfield, and then motored around on a double to left by first baseman Ronnie Sellers.  The Wolves were not able to get any more across the plate in the inning and were forced to settle with an early 1-0 lead.

 

Bemidji State countered right back with a three-run bottom to take the lead from the Wolves 3-1 behind two home runs and two singles. 

 

The Beavers would add two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings before Northern State got another run on the board in the top of the sixth.  Senior shortstop James Paul singled to left field to start the inning and was moved around to third on a double to left field by junior Lucas Jung.  Another single to center by Cross would bring Paul home to get the Wolves back within striking distance at 7-2, but three straight outs followed and Northern was again forced to settle with just one run in the inning.

 

The Beavers again got three runs in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to 10-2.

 

A two-out double by Payton McCleary in the top of the seventh kept the Wolves' hopes alive for a late rally, but a popup by Paul would end the game.

 

Cross led the Wolves offensively with a 3-3 game at the plate.  He scored a run, drove in a run, and snagged a stolen base in the loss.

 

Lucas Jung finished his season opener with a 2-3 effort at the plate with a double.

 

Sophomore Michael Gardner took the loss on the hill for the Wolves after surrendering five earned runs on seven hits in four innings.  He also recorded three strikeouts but was tagged for two home runs and hit three Bemidji State batters.

 

The Wolves will finish the remainder of today's second game tomorrow before another doubleheader battle with the Beavers at the Homer Dome.  The start time is schedule for 11:00 a.m.

 

Fans can listen to the game at http://listentothebeavers.com.

 

Northern State University is an NCAA Division II affiliated school participating in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

 

**GO WOLVES**