The University of Minnesota Duluth avoided a series sweep by Minnesota State University, Mankato, edging out its North Central Conference rival in the finale' of the weekend four-game set on Sunday 5-4 after dropping the opening game of the day 3-1 at Bulldog Park.

Game 1 Recap:

Minnesota Duluth pounced on the scoreboard first and then Minnesota State-Mankato responded with a trio of unanswered scores as the Bulldogs lost 3-1.

During the first inning, Maverick shortstop Scott Kemp couldn't handle a Andrew Heieie ground ball and Greg Aker capitolized on the miscue, bolting home to give UMD a 1-0 lead.

Following the Bulldogs first at-bats, Minnesota State-Mankato starting pitcher Dane Secott settled down, allowing just two hits over his final five innings of work. Secott struck out ten Bulldogs on the day.

UMD starter Luke Hagman wasn't quite as flawless. The senior right hander earned two runs on eight hits, walked three and was handed his second setback in as many outings.

Three Mavericks -- Kemp, Mark Dolenc and Travis Taran, who is the younger brother of Bulldog senior shortstop Nate Taran -- contributed with one RBI each for the visitor's cause.

Game 2 Recap:

Minnesota Duluth pitcher Bub Lovas had never lost a game as a collegian entering his start on Sunday versus Minnesota State-Mankato. As the last inning of play got underway, that streak was in serious jeopardy of being broken. And then Lovas' teammates came to the rescue as the Bulldogs won 5-4 on the heels of a late offensive explosion.

The Mavericks (19-9, 3-1 NCC), led by starting pitcher Jon Bjelland, held a commanding 4-0 advantage heading into the Bulldogs final three outs. Bjelland walked Alex Johnson to start things off in the seventh and then David Olson ripped a single, setting up Shawn Lindsay for an opportunity to pull the Bulldogs to within striking distance. And Lindsay took the favor a long way, crushing the ball well over the outfield fence, ending Bjelland's afternoon at the mound in the process.

Andrew Heieie welcomed Minnesota State-Mankato reliever Nick Fellman into the ball game by bashing a single as Nate Taran waited anxiously on deck. Taran lied down a bunt that died right in front of the plate and the senior infielder started down first base, expecting his younger brother Travis -- who was playing catcher -- to finish off the routine play. Moments later, the ball sailed over the first baseman and into foul territory as Heieie strolled into home representing the tying run.

With the momentum swung in favor of UMD, the Bulldogs completed the comeback in the eighth inning. Olson and Taran singled, bringing up senior catcher Tom Paitich with two outs. Paitich eventually found a pitch he liked and drove the ball to Maverick centerfielder Ben Kaus, who committed a crucial error that allowed Olson to score safely.

Lovas, who still sports an 8-0 record as a Bulldog for his career, yeilded nine hits and was tagged for four earned runs during his four and two thirds innings of work. Three Bulldog relievers -- Justin Hayes, Shawn Tremaine and Kyle Zweber -- emerged from the bullpen to allow zero Maverick hits after Lovas departed.

UMD (7-18, 1-3 NCC) ended an eight-game losing streak -- its longest since the 1977 season -- with the win and will seek some revenge against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference affilliate Concordia University, St. Paul on Tuesday (April 11) at Bulldog Park. The interconference doubleheader is set to start at 2 p.m. The Golden Bears swept the Bulldogs last Wednesday in St. Paul (3-1 and 11-8).