The University of Minnesota Duluth made its 2017 softball debut Friday by going 1-1 at the UAM 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark,

UMD needed just five innings to get the job done in its opener, rolling to an 8-0 win over the University of Nebraska-Kearney (0-12 overall). Senior pitcher Sam Hartmann picked up the win and the Bulldogs used a a four-run third inning to put the game away. That outburst was aided by a home run from junior second baseman Natalie Wright.

The Bulldogs then fell 6-2 to Arkansas Tech University with freshman pitcher Breanna Swint getting the pitching start.  Swint worked four innings allowing five runs on six hits, but picked up a pair of strikeouts in her Bulldog debut. Sophomore pitcher Valerie Hohol came in for three innings of relief to close out the game for UMD. Junior shortstop Becky Smith provided the lone runs for the Bulldogs, belting a two-run homer  in the fourth inning. Arkansas Tech pitcher Jalissa Gum gave up just five hits while striking out five for the Golden Suns (6-4 overall).

UMD will face Henderson State University  (11 a.m.).and Pittsburg State University (3 p.m.) on Saturday in Bentonville, Ark.