The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball squad's pitching staff did their best, but the strong hitting of No. 24-ranked Ashland (Ohio) University was too much on Saturday evening in Auburndale, Fla. The Bulldogs dropped both ends of the doubleheader, by scores of 12-5 and 4-2.

Game one saw the Eagles jump out to a 4-0 lead after their first at bats. The Bulldogs answered back immediately with a run in the second and a four-spot of their own in the fourth frame. Unfortunately, the AU hitters exploded for eight runs over their next two plate appearances, putting the game out of reach.

UMD junior starter Josh Foreman (1-1) seemed to settle down after his first inning issues, but was only able to work 3.1 innings - giving up 10 runs (eight earned) off nine hits while striking out three - in taking the loss. AU reliever Jeremy Sloan went 3.2 innings to earn the win, allowing only one Bulldog run off two hits.

The second game started much like the first, with the Eagles scoring a pair of runs in each of the first two frames. UMD sophomore starter Ben Jungers went the distance, holding Ashland scoreless the remainder of the game. The Maroon and Gold's bats went just as dormant as their opponents, however, and the Bulldogs' seventh inning comeback fell short, only able to muster two runs.

Eagles starter Austin Ritson went six innings allowing two runs on four hits to gain the win. Credited with the loss, Jungers falls to 0-2 on the season.

Junior shortstop Tyler Erickson started his spring trip on a tear, going 4-for-7 in the doubleheader, driving in three runs and scoring two others. Senior catcher Brian Burman drove in four runs thanks to two timely doubles.

The games - UMD's first twin bill on its Florida spring trip - were supposed to pit the Bulldogs versus Wayne State (Mich.) University. A scheduling snafu occurred making WSU already committed to playing another opponent. Ashland was available and willing to play - ironically, AU was the Bulldogs' originally scheduled opponent for Saturday afternoon before their two-game set was cancelled at another field.

Going forward, UMD will be back on track with its original spring schedule. That means the Bulldogs will square off against Wayne State tomorrow (Sunday, Mar. 14) at 1 p.m. local time at Polk Community College in Winter Haven, Fla.