BASEBALL: Woodpeckers building on 2021 success with doubleheader sweep

Jun. 15—BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Woodpeckers didn't get off to the start they were hoping to this year.

Bemidji's Junior Legion baseball team started its season last Friday with a trip down to Moorhead and dropped two close games in a doubleheader against the Moorhead Golds.

But the Golds came to the BSU baseball field on Tuesday, and the result was much different. The Woodpeckers drilled into Moorhead with their bats, plating a combined 20 runs in a doubleheader sweep that featured 8-3 and 12-1 wins.

"It was good to see," Bemidji head coach Travis Carruth said. "After getting swept by them last week, they came out all fired up today and ready to go."

The Woodpeckers (2-2) used big innings in both games to put the Golds in a hole. In the first game, a five-run fifth gave Bemidji a 7-3 lead. In game two, the Woodpeckers seized control early with a seven-run second.

"In the first part of the (first) game, we didn't really hit the greatest," said third baseman Boston Smith, who had three hits, two runs and two RBIs in the double dip. "But we started reading the pitches better, and the pitchers changed up (their approach). The ball started to feel pretty nice coming off our bats."

Taking control of the two games on Tuesday was a better demonstration of what Bemidji expects from itself this season. Coming off a fourth-place finish at the state tournament in 2021, this year's Woodpeckers have their beaks pointed toward another deep run.

"Trying to replicate last year, personally, I think that'd be the goal for us," Smith said. "Last year, we had a great year, went to state. So we're going to try and do that this year."

If they return to the tournament, they'll accomplish it with a rookie head coach at the helm. Carruth took over the Woodpeckers this season after completing his playing career at Bemidji State in May. Not only does the new role offer him a way to remain involved with the game, but it also helps him fulfill a lifelong dream.

"I've always wanted to coach," Carruth said. "All throughout high school, some of the most influential people in my life have been my coaches. So to get the chance to try and be that person for these younger guys, I jumped all over that opportunity."

Having a coach so close in age to his players is unique, but the returns have been largely successful thus far.

"It's a lot of fun," Smith said. "He's pretty young. So it's a lot of fun to mess with him. But also he's our coach, so we have to respect him. But he's a pretty fun guy to be around."

Carruth has only been around the team for a few weeks, so he's trying to keep the goals simple for this year's squad.

"Basically, what I preach is just trying to get them to play hard, good fundamental baseball," Carruth said. "And hopefully, like last year, getting back to the state tournament would be the end goal."

Bemidji took a solid peck in that direction on Tuesday. But there are many more games to go before the state tournament is on the horizon, so for now, the Woodpeckers have their eyes set on having fun — and playing well in the process.

"They're my buddies," Smith said of his teammates. "So it's great to be out here. Fun hanging out."

Bemidji returns to the diamond for the Blaine VFW Tournament, which is set for Friday, June 17, through Sunday, June 19.