Pivotal innings turned the tide for the University of Minnesota Duluth as a four-run sixth inning and a six-run fifth inning sparked the Bulldogs over Minot State University in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference double header to capture their third sweep of the 2014 season at Herb Parker Stadium on the Minot State campus in Minot, N.D. UMD (20-16 overall, 6-5 NSIC) came from behind in both outings to put them back in the thick of the NSIC race, dropping MISU 6-3 and 7-2.

Beavers' Katie Backes and sophomore outfielder Ashley Schilling traded two-run home runs to start the opener. Back-to-back RBI doubles by junior infielder Jordan Rice and senior outfielder Megan Mullen and a Sami Schnyder single back up the middle to plate two more capped off a four-run sixth inning to give the Bulldogs a 6-2 lead. Minot State (24-14, 11-9 NSIC) only mustered an unearned run in the bottom of sixth inning.

The rematch saw Minot State commit three errors in the five inning, which UMD used to their advantage as they batted around the order. In a 2-0 hole for the second consecutive game, Schilling reached on an error and would later score from third along with Schnyder on an RBI single to left by sophomore infielder Dalyce Gustafson. Mullen went back to left field to score Gustafson to give UMD a one-run lead. Another error in the outfield kept the base runners moving and sophomore pitcher Cayli Sadler and freshman outfielder Hailey Lundquist each capitalized with RBI singles. Schilling scored pitch runner freshman Kylie Pewe on a fielder's choice to complete the six-run inning.

It was a collective effort for the Bulldog pitching unit as Sadler, freshmen Sam Hartmann and Mariah Schultz frustrated the Beavers and stalled the offense giving up only five runs in the early portions of the two-game set.

Hartmann tossed four innings of two-run ball allowing four walks and three hits. Schultz pitched a solid fifth inning to collect her third victory of the year and Sadler came on the close the door during the final two frames to lock up her second save. The sophomore ace continued in the circle in the second match slung a complete game five hitter. As a staff, UMD collected nine strikeouts and scattered 10 hits on the afternoon.

The Bulldogs will try to sweep the North Dakota road trip with a double header clash versus the University of Mary starting at noon.