FAYETTE, Iowa – Forced to play its would-be home openers at a neutral site in Fayette, Iowa, the No. 15 Winona State softball team dropped a 6-3 game to Bemidji State. Due to a late start to the day's action, game two was canceled.

The Warriors were forced to play catchup early on as the Beavers hit a two-run home run off starter Hanna Lythberg in the first inning to jump out to a quick 2-0 lead. But the Warriors would respond in the bottom of the second, as Natalie Kalmes was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, McKenna Larsen signled and Paige Keegan walked to load the bases. That set up the lone scoring at-bat of the day, as Allyson O'Herron hit a bases-clearing double to right center field to put the Warriors in front 3-2.

The lead wouldn't last long, however, as pitcher Jessica Yost – who also was dominant in the circle – belted the Beavers' second home run of the day to move back in front 4-3. Bemidji State added insurance runs in the top of the sixth with its third home run of the day to post the 6-3 final.

Yost struck out 15 Warriors as the BSU ace moved to 12-1 on the season. Lythberg (10-3) suffered just her third loss of the season, giving up four earned runs and five hits in four innings of work. Alex Walker relieved Lythberg, giving up two hits and two runs in three innings.

Larsen was the lone Warrior to record a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 at the plate.

Winona State (19-7, 1-2 NSIC) plays two more games Saturday in Fayette with a doubleheader against Minnesota Crookston set to begin at 3 p.m.