Sophomore left fielder Heather Woyak launched a solo home run in the sixth inning -- one of the University of Minnesota Duluth's 11 hits on the afternoon-- but still came out on the short end of a 4-3 decision to the University of Arkansas-Monticillo in its 2015 season opener Thursday at the UAM8-State Classic.

A second scheduled game with the host school was called due to cold weather and wind in Bentonville, Ark.

UMD gave up three runs in the first inning and another in the second before starting a comeback. Junior Cayli Sadler got the opening day start in the circle and  allowed eight baserunners, four earned runs and five hits in the first two innings, but just four baserunner and two hits after that. She gave way in the sixth innning to sophomore Sam Hartmann, who set down the final two batters in order.

Senior first baseman Jordan Rice went 3-for-4 to lead the Bulldogs, while junior catcher Ashley Lewis had a pair of hits and drove in a run.  Woyak's homer was the second of her career and joined junior left fielder Ashley Schilling (a fourth-inning triple) as the two Bulldogs with extra-base hits. Katherine Batey went the distance for the Blossoms (3-2), striking out four and allowing just a single earned run. UMD had three rookies -- second baseman Natalie Wright, center fielder Hannah Schmoll and shortstop Becky Smith  -- occupy the first three spots in its batting order and that trio combined to go 3-for-12 with Smith getting two of those hits.

The Bulldogs will be back at it early tomorrow when they take on Fort Hayes State University and the University of Nebraska-Kearney. UMD and FHSU get the action started at 11:00 a.m.