Box Score It wasn't a pleasant spring afternoon as bitter winds and overcast skies hung over James S. Malosky Stadium, the site of its third-ever University of Minnesota Duluth softball game. Despite a wintry mix that passed through the early morning hours, the Bulldogs were still able to get in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matchup against Wayne State College, falling on the wrong end of a 3-0 decision. It was only the second time UMD (18-16 overall, 4-5 NSIC) has been shutout this season. The only other time was on the frontend of a double header against Arkansas-Monticello on Feb. 17.

The starting pitchers dueled each other and dominated early limiting a mere five hits collectively through the first four innings. A pair of Wildcat home runs late sealed the fate of the Bulldogs, which couldn't warm up their bats and string together hits to rally back. Sara Scheffert was handed the ball for Wayne State (27-10, 13-2 NSIC) and kept UMD off balance tossing a complete game on 10 strikeouts while allowing five hits.

Starting pitcher Cayli Sadler, who was the only Bulldog to record multiple hits, went the distance in the circle and fanned six batters in the loss. Sophomore infielder Sami Schnyder, senior outfielder Megan Mullen and junior infielder Jordan Rice tallied base knocks for the Bulldogs, which threaten late in the sixth and seventh innings but came up empty-handed. Schnyder and Mullen was stranded on the corners in the bottom of the sixth inning and Rice has left on second base to end the game.

UMD returns to Malosky Stadium one last time during its home stand squaring off against the University of Minnesota, Crookston on Tuesday. Opening pitch of the two-game series is set for 2 p.m.