BRANDON, S.D. – Despite two hits and five RBI from senior first baseman Ryan Bernardy, the University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team (4-6, 0-6 NSIC) dropped a high-scoring 18-11 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference decision to Bemidji State (2-9, 1-5 NSIC) on Saturday at First National Bank Field. USF and BSU will play an NSIC doubleheader on Sunday (1:30/3:30 pm) again in Brandon at First National Bank Field as USF's regular home at Sioux Falls Stadium is unplayable due to the recent wet conditions.

Bernardy had two hits in four at bats with a career-high five RBI and helped USF jump to an 8-1 lead through three innings. However, BSU took advantage of USF pitching woes and rallied to earn the victory. 

Bernardy now has nine RBI in his last three games with three home runs as he has upped his batting average to .324 and is now slugging at .676.  He has had multiple RBI games three straight games and had six hits and 13 at bats with the three home runs as he has gone deep in back-to-back games (Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State). He now has 19 multi-hit games and 16 multi-RBI game in his career with the HR giving him 14 on his career.

Aside from Bernardy, USF had big offensive games from freshman second baseman Tyler Cate who had two hits and three runs scored and junior shortstop Grant Lung had two hits and a run scored and RBI. Right fielder Jared Binsfield also had two hits while freshman designated hitter Noah Buss had two runs scored and an RBI. Third baseman Zane Butts had two RBI and a hit.

In the game, USF used six pitchers who combined for 16 walks and with four errors, USF allowed BSU 20 free passes. The Beavers used those walks and errors to their advantage as they totaled 18 runs on nine hits. Of note, just nine of the 18 runs were earned. After the Beavers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, USF had a five-spot in the second inning, keyed by a three-run home run by Bernardy for a 5-1 lead. USF took the lead to 8-1 by the end of the third inning and led 10-6 after six innings. In the seventh inning, BSU scored seven runs on just three hits and added five more in the ninth inning.

Matt Graham started for USF and worked 5 1/3 innings and allowed just two hits but had eight walks and seven strikeouts while giving up six runs, including four earned. Drew Leonard (0-1) took the loss as he allowed a hit and a walk and gave up two runs. Also working on the mound for USF was Charles Roskowiak (1 inn., 2H, 4R, 2ER, 3BB, K), Jake Haugen (1 run), Keenahn Coyle (2.1 inn., 3H, 5R, 0ER, 4BB, 3K) and Anthony Reese (1/3 inn., 1H).

Kenny Morris picked up the win for BSU as he was the fourth of the pitchers for the Beavers. He allowed just two hits, two runs (one earned) and had two strikeouts and a walk in four innings on the mound. BSU also had issues with free passes as they walked nine hitters with just two strikeouts. Combined the teams gave out 25 walks and had 18 combined strikeouts.

Tom Keohen had a hit and five RBI (grand slam, ninth inning) while Noah Boser scored four runs without getting a hit and Isaiah Grancorvitz had two hits and two RBI as did Michael O'Malley.