Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Bemidji, Minn. – The Northern State University softball team dropped their first conference games of the season today, falling to Bemidji State 9-1 and 8-0 in two five inning games. With the losses, the Wolves are now 18-11-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the NSIC, while the Beavers improve to 15-6 overall and 5-1 in league play.

Game One

The Wolves threatened in the top of the first as sophomore Jenna Helgeson singled to the shortstop and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Katie Dawson reached on an error in the following at bat, however the Wolves were unable to tack on any runs with two outs.

Bemidji State came out swinging in the bottom of the inning, with back-to-back singles and a double to notch the early 2-0 lead.

After striking out the side in the second and holding the Wolves in the third, Jessica Yost aided her team from the plate in the bottom of the inning. Yost ripped a single up the middle to give the Beavers a three-run advantage.

Bemidji State homered in the fourth and added four additional runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal the 9-1 victory.

As a unit, Northern State recorded two hits off the bats of Jenna Helgeson and Lauren Kunz. Katie Dawson batted in the lone NSU run with a hard hit ball to the left side.
From the mound, Jamie Fisher suffered just her fourth loss of the season. Fisher forced ten groundouts in 4.1 innings pitched, allowing seven earned runs.

Game Two

The Beavers were first to score in the second game, notching an early double through the right side and a sacrifice fly to left field.

Bemidji State added to their lead in the bottom of the second inning off four-straight singles, followed by two doubles and a base hit in the third to make it a 6-0 lead for the home team.

Shayla Steinley singled to left field with one out for the Wolves in the top of the fourth, however NSU was unable to poke the ball through the infield to advance the freshman into scoring position.

The Beavers once again tacked on two runs in the bottom of the inning to seal the 8-0 win in 4.5 innings.

Northern State tallied four team hits in 18 plate appearances coming off the bats of Jenna Helgeson, Shayla Steinley, Katie Dawson and Kennady Thompson.
Missy Elkins drops to 8-7 on the year with the loss. Elkins allowed five earned runs off seven hits from the Beavers' offense.

Northern State will continue conference action from home on Tuesday, April 4^th at 2 and 4 p.m. against St. Cloud State.