WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University baseball team battled back in both games to beat the Bemidji State Beavers in an NSIC doubleheader held in the cozy confines of Loughrey Field on Wednesday.

The Warriors beat BSU 9-4 in game one and 6-2 in game two in extra innings, with both victories courtesy of key pitching performances from the WSU bullpen and some timely hitting with runners on base.

Due to NSIC site-reversal rules, Winona State was the visiting team in both contests and batted first in each game.

Game One

In the opener, Winona State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Derek Baumgartner hit a two-run double to left center to drive in two runs and then scored moments later when Cooper Kapanke drove him home on a single.

However, Bemidji State responded by grabbing the lead in the bottom of the fourth, taking advantage of two singles and an error in the Warrior outfield to go ahead 4-3 after four. 

After three more scoreless innings, Winona State found itself down to their last at bats when Austin Beyer hit a double to left center, scoring Cooper Kapanke and tying the game at 4-4.  In the bottom of the seventh and the winning Bemidji State run on base, Miller Wallace made a key play at third base for the Warriors, snagging a drive that looked to be destined for left field and ending the inning on a force out at second base.

With the momentum heading into extra innings, Winona State saw Kyle Yu single and then Brinkman double down the right field line, putting runners on second and third. After an intentional walk to Baumgartner, Cooper Kapanke earned an RBI and loaded the bases for Austin Beyer.  Beyer blasted a grand slam home run to then stake Winona State a 9-4 lead.

Justin Firpo - who had entered the game in the fourth inning – retired the Beavers in the eighth to earn the win, striking out the final Bemidji State batter he faced, one of six strikeouts he had on the day.   The Warriors starter, Kyle Gendron, went three and 2/3's innings, striking out five and walking two. In Firpo's four and 1/3 innings of relief, the senior from Burnsville, Minn. allowed only two hits and did not concede a run in one of his best outings of the year so far.

At the plate, Austin Beyer had five RBI on the strength of his grand slam as well as a double, while Carter Brinkman was 2-for-4. Cooper Kapanke and Derek Baumgartner drove in two runs each in the game.

Winona State scored nine runs on eight hits and committed two errors while Bemidji State had four runs on six hits and saw three miscues.

Game Two

In game two, the Warriors again found themselves playing some bonus baseball and earning the win in comeback fashion.

BSU held a narrow 2-1 lead over Winona State after six innings of play, as the Beavers held the Warriors to just four singles over the first five innings.  Bemidji State's pitching tandem of Alex Fietek and Jacob Marx struck out five Warriors over that time as the WSU offense was slow to heat up.

Things changed in the seventh when a Carter Brinkman single was followed up by a Baumgartner base hit. Austin Beyer again stepped up at a key moment, singling in Brinkman to tie the game at 2-2.

The two teams traded two scoreless innings, but in the 10^th, Winona State exploded for four runs to put the game out of reach.  The key frame saw a single from Kyle Yu score Joshua Hawksford to start the rally and then Dane Weiland doubled to score Mason Trocke. Carter Brinkman then continued his impressive day, driving in two RBI on a single to center, scoring Weiland and Miller Wallace.

Starting pitcher Bailey Banaszynski went six full innings on the mound for Winona State, scattering three hits while striking out ten Beavers.  Caleb Strack emerged in relief in the seventh inning and went three key frames to earn the win, his second of the season. Strack was almost untouchable by the Beavers, striking out eight, walking none and allowing zero hits in his time on the mound. Peter Tveite closed the door on BSU in the bottom of the 10^th, holding the Beavers hitless.

Individually, Derek Baumgartner was 3-for-4 and Austin Beyer 2-for-4, while Carter Brinkman was 2-for-4 as well. Dane Weiland earned two walks while collecting two hits and an RBI. 

In the game, Winona State scored six times on 11 hits and had two errors. Bemidji State had two runs on three hits and did not commit an error.

With the midweek sweep, Winona State moves to 9-14 overall and 7-5 in NSIC play.  The Warriors will host Minnesota State – Mankato in a three-game NSIC series on April15-16, a key set of contests for WSU.  Currently, Winona State and the Mavericks are also scheduled for a 7-inning non-conference contest after the three-game league series.  First pitch Friday, April 15 is set for 1:30 p.m.