James S. Malosky Stadium has hosted nearly 500 University of Minnesota Duluth football, soccer and track and field events and today the 48-year-old on campus facility added a pair of softball games to that list as the Bulldogs made their 2014 home debut. UMD made their inaugural appearance a memorable one by toppling No. 13 Augustana College 4-1 in the frontend of an Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader before the falling 9-2 in the rematch. The Bulldogs are 3-2 against National Fastpitch Coaches' Association Top 25 teams this season.

After the Vikings' Caitlin Nichol homered on the second pitch of the day, sophomore starting pitcher Cayli Sadler kept Augustana in check the rest of the way allowing just two more hits while striking out eight. UMD (18-15 overall, 4-4 NSIC) knotted the game in the third inning on a home run to right field by freshman outfielder Angel Dahl. Dahl, the product of Duluth, Minn., cracked her second home run of her short career to spark the offense as the next inning, the Bulldogs put up a three-spot to take command of the game.

After a walk by senior outfielder Megan Mullen and a infield single by junior infielder Jordan Rice, sophomore catcher Ashley Lewis jumped in front of a Janelle Trautmann pitch and zipped it down the left field line to plate Mullen. Sadler assisted herself at the plate scoring both Rice and Lewis on a single to center and also retired the last nine batters on the mound for her 14th victory while Trautmann took only her third loss of the year.

UMD hopped out to an 1-0 advantage in game two. With the bases loaded, Lewis scored sophomore infielder Sami Schnyder on a sacrifice fly to right field. Augustana (29-8, 12-4) responded the next half inning with the help of an Bulldog error to keep the inning alive. Sadler gave way to Sam Hartmann in the third, who finished the last five innings. The Vikings peppered the Bulldog duo in the circle for 13 hits.

A trio of sophomores had good days at the plate during the double dip. Lewis drove in three runs to bring her career total in RBIs to 49 while Schnyder, who is batting .462 in the leadoff position, had a pair of hits and added a run. Sophomore infielder Daylce Gustafson also laced down a pair of singles.

UMD, which was playing in Duluth for the first time in two years and the first time on campus since April 29, 2011, took this weekend to honor former teammate Mandy Matula. As part of the tribute, the Bulldog players sported Matula's number 14 on the back of their jerseys. 

The Bulldogs will continue their homestand against Wayne State College Saturday. The first pitch is slated for 1 p.m. The Matula ceremony will follow immediately after the conclusion.