Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Late-inning rallies have not been uncommon for the University of Minnesota Duluth thus far in 2014 and the Bulldogs nearly pulled off another one on Monday before succumbing 3-2 to Southeastern Oklahoma State University in eight innings in the front end of doubleheader. UMD then fell  5-3 in game two in the nonconference twinbill in Durant, Okla.

Junior infielder Jordan Rice started game one with a bang early, smacking her sixth home run of the year to put the Bulldogs (11-8) up 2-0. Southeastern Oklahoma State slashed the lead in half in the fourth then tied it in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extras. The Savage Storm answered on the first pitch of the following inning with a walk-off homer. Sophomore pitcher Cayli Sadler, who was announced as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week today, went the distance for the seventh time this year, giving up three runs on eight hits on two strikeouts.

The night cap saw the Bulldogs jumped out to another first inning lead on a RBI double by Rice. SOSU stalled the UMD offense again through the middle innings and scored five runs overtake the lead 5-1 after five complete. Senior outfielder Megan Mullen jolted the offense back into the game with her solo homer in the top of the sixth. That spark helped the Bulldogs load the bases. Freshman infielder Mel Jarvi singled in a run to cut it to 5-3 before the threat stalled. Freshman pitcher Sam Hartmann got the nod to start in game two and went six innings of five-run striking out two.

In the two-game set, seven players collected at least one base hit with Rice, 4-for-8 with three RBI, and Mullen, three hits, pacing the offense. UMD, who is outscoring the opposition 26-7 in the opening frame, dropped their first two games when striking first. The Bulldogs are still 9-2 when scoring first and 5-2 when scoring in the first inning.

The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow in Weatherford, Okla, to duel against Southwestern Oklahoma State, who they already defeated 5-1 back on Feb. 16 in the UAM 8-State Classic. The opening pitch is slated for a 1 p.m. start time.