BEMIDJI, Minn. -- The Fighting Sioux bats were red-hot despite the rain and cold weather; as they pounded out 15 hits in a 12-2 victory over Bemidji State. The teams only played one game because rain and cold weather had moved in throughout the first game and made the field unplayable. With the victory, North Dakota improves to 8-11 on the season and Bemidji State falls to 5-28.
Sophomore southpaw, Cody Randy pitched a marvelous game in the cold conditions. Randt gave up five hits and two runs, one of which was earned, in the complete game victory. It is Randt's first victory of the season.
The Sioux offense got rolling in the first inning on a three-run blast from freshman Anthony Brenner. Leadoff hitter, Tyler Merkel, hit a double to left-centerfield to start the inning. Mike Lundeen walked and Nate Meissner reached on a fielder's choice after Merkel was out at third. Brenner stepped to the plate and hit the 1-2 pitch over the right field wall for his second homerun of the season and the early 3-0 lead.
Bemidji State answered back by scoring one run in the second and third innings to cut the North Dakota lead to 3-2.
The Fighting Sioux added two runs in the fourth, three runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth to seal the 12-2 victory.
Seniors Bo Stanley and Mike Lundeen went 4-4 and 3-3, respectively, to pace the Sioux offense. Stanley had three singles and a double and knocked in three runs on the day. Anthony Brenner and Tyler Merkel each added two hits to the Sioux offensive attack. Brenner drove in four runs with a homerun and a double to right field.
The Sioux return to non-conference action on Tuesday against Minnesota-Crookston. The games will be played at the Minnesota-Crookston Baseball Field in Crookston, Minn. The first game of the doubleheader will start at 2 p.m. and the second game will start at 4 p.m.
