Bemidji State Softball Splits Home Opener Against Dragons

Veteran leadership from Aubrey Aukerman helps young Beavers team earn a walk-off win in game one

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:36am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a softball game in progress, with overlapping planes of bright blue, green, and red colors representing the players and field of play.Bemidji State's home opener against MSU Moorhead showcased the team's resilience and veteran leadership, with a dramatic walk-off win in game one.Bemidji Today

The Bemidji State softball team, led by senior captain Aubrey Aukerman, split a home doubleheader against MSU Moorhead on Thursday. Aukerman delivered a walk-off hit in the first game to give the Beavers a 2-1 victory, but the Dragons bounced back to win the second game 12-5 by taking advantage of Bemidji State's control issues on the mound.

Why it matters

With eight freshmen on the roster, veteran leadership has been crucial for the young Bemidji State team as they navigate an up-and-down season. The home opener showcased the team's resilience, as well as the importance of players like Aukerman stepping up in clutch moments.

The details

In the first game, Aukerman's line drive single in the bottom of the seventh inning scored the winning run for Bemidji State. Freshman pitcher Sydney Klusman earned the win, pitching a complete game and allowing just one run. However, the Beavers struggled with control in the second game, issuing nine walks that led to a 12-5 loss. Head coach Jordan Petersen emphasized the need for the pitching staff to find the strike zone more consistently.

  • The first game was tied 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning when Aukerman delivered the walk-off hit.
  • The second game took place immediately after the first game as part of a doubleheader.

The players

Aubrey Aukerman

A senior captain and second baseman for the Bemidji State softball team, Aukerman had the game-winning hit in the first game of the doubleheader.

Sydney Klusman

A freshman pitcher for Bemidji State, Klusman earned the win in the first game by pitching a complete game and allowing just one run.

Jordan Petersen

The head coach of the Bemidji State softball team, Petersen emphasized the need for better control from her pitchers after the team's struggles in the second game.

Jackie Larsen

A junior outfielder for Bemidji State, Larsen went 2-for-7 with a walk in the doubleheader and made several acrobatic catches in center field.

Alayna DeGraef

A sophomore outfielder for Bemidji State, DeGraef matched Larsen's team-high .374 batting average and went 2-for-6 with an RBI in the doubleheader.

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What they’re saying

“Honestly? See-ball, hit-ball. If it's there, I'm swinging and hoping that it's down in the gap somewhere. It was a great outcome, so we love to see that.”

— Aubrey Aukerman, Senior Captain

“She's a senior captain, and she's absolutely killing it. She's really taking ownership offensively, defensively, keeping the team together. She's really risen to the occasion when she needs to.”

— Jordan Petersen, Head Coach

What’s next

The Beavers will host Winona State for a doubleheader on April 25, followed by another doubleheader against Minnesota State the next day. These will be Bemidji State's final home games of the season.

The takeaway

Despite the ups and downs of their season, the Bemidji State softball team has shown resilience and a strong team culture led by veteran players like Aubrey Aukerman. As the young Beavers squad continues to gain experience, their ability to compete against tough conference opponents will be crucial for the remainder of the season.