After being delayed on two separate occasions because of wet weather, the University of Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota State University-Mankato finally took to the field on a chilly Monday afternoon in Duluth, Minn. at Bulldog Park – the North Central Conference double dip was originally scheduled for this past Saturday and Sunday (April 26 & 27). The Mavericks won the first game 5-4 before UMD employed an extra frame to dispose of visiting MSU 3-2 in the nightcap.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning of Game 1 thanks to a double down the right field line by senior right fielder Luke Johnson, clearing the loaded bases of senior center fielder Tony Doherty, sophomore left fielder Bryan Denisen and freshman first baseman Josh Threlkeld.

The Mavericks responded with two runs of their own in the top of the second inning, the first coming after a throwing error by senior starter Kyle Zweber and the second resulting from a passed ball.

UMD upped its lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the third frame, when Johnson singled to left, scoring Threlkeld.

MSU turned the tables on the Bulldogs and scored one run in the fourth and two in the fifth to take a 5-4 advantage. The Mavericks held on over the last two innings for the win in the first game.

Zweber pitched 6.1 innings, allowing eight hits and five runs (only two of which were earned). The co-captain from Lakeville, Minn., struck out seven batters in his second loss of the year (4-2). Chris Odegaard went 5.0 frames on the mound for MSU, bumping his record to 6-1 with the win. Odegaard punched out 11 Bulldog batters in the contest.

Johnson finished the game going 2-for-3 with all four of the Bulldogs runs batted in. Threlkeld and junior third baseman David Olson each had two hits.

Both teams’ starting hurlers pitched into the seventh inning in the nightcap, with junior Cole Hytjan for UMD and Matt Mathiowetz for the Mavericks each making just one mistake.

For Hytjan, a third-inning two-run blast over the right field fence proved to be the only offense the Eden Prairie, Minn., native would give up. Doherty led Game 2 off with a solo shot to the left of the scoreboard over the right field fence, the only hit Mathiwetz would surrender during his time on the mound.

MSU would hold a 2-1 lead until UMD’s final at-bats. Johnson was able to beat out a double play ball to keep the Bulldogs alive. The Shoreview, Minn., native then proceeded to steal second base. Senior pinch hitter Ty Fadness was able to crack a single to right field, scoring Johnson, and evening the scoreboard at 2-2.

Just one inning later, freshman Tyler Erickson singled, was sacrificed to second and moved to third after a failed pickoff attempt by Mavericks pitcher Casey Kowalski. With two outs and down 0-2 in the count, Threlkeld punched a liner to left field, scoring Erickson and assuring a twin bill split for UMD.

Hytjan went 6.2 innings in the second game, allowing just the two runs on seven hits. Mathiowetz pitched 6.1 innings and struck out seven Bulldog batters for the Mavericks. Sophomore righty Gary Wilfahrt Jr. pitched the final 1.1 innings to gain the win and move his record to an even 1-1. Kowalski got tabbed with the loss for MSU, bringing down his record to 1-1 on the season.

The Bulldogs and Mavericks will meet up again tomorrow (April 29) for another conference doubleheader, the last time during the regular season these two teams will clash as members of the NCC. Also, in between games UMD will pay tribute to its baseball alumni with a short recognition ceremony. The first pitch in the two-game set is scheduled for 12 p.m.