Step aside Missouri Western State University, the University of Minnesota Duluth downed the host of the HyVee Classic and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association No. 18-ranked team Saturday afternoon at the Springs Sports Complex in St. Joseph, Mo. With the 6-1 victory, the Bulldogs (15-7) toppled their fourth Top-25 opponent of the season. UMD later defeated another member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Missouri Southern State University, to run their winning streak to a season-high seven games.

In a defensive battle for most of the game, both clubs managed to combine for three hits through the first three frames. The Griffons (21-5) threatened first but senior pitcher Sam Hartmann and the defensive crew fought to keep the game scoreless. Sophomore outfielder Sammi Sadler saved a run by coming up throwing on a single to right and caught Griffon speedster Morgan Rathmann dead on the base paths to home as sophomore catcher Hannah Bloch and freshman third baseman Lauren Oberle ran her down. Bloch, then, made a saving catch in foul territory to end the threat.

UMD responded with a threat of their own with back-to-back singles to start the fourth. Unlike their counterparts, sophomore first baseman Kalynn Tilton broke the scoreless tie on a dribbler that snuck through the left side of the infield. The Bulldogs rallied with two outs forcing a pair of walks to add another to take a 2-0 lead. MWSU sliced the lead to one with a leadoff triple but UMD bounced back the final inning with four runs to take a commanding and decisive 6-1 lead. Consecutive base runners to begin the seventh and a perfectly laid down sacrifice bunt by freshman outfielder Jayme Langbehn, with a throwing error assist, push a run across to make it 3-1. Later, with the bases juiced, freshman pitch runner Lauren Greeder avoided a tag and scored and Oberle, one batter later, delivered the final blow with a back-crushing two RBI-double over the center fielder. Hartmann, who has allowed one run or less in four straight outings, and company sealed the victory going the distance to improve to 7-3 overall.

In the second game, UMD gutted out 4-3 victory over Missouri Southern State (11-18). A trio of juniors in the lineup produced all four Bulldog runs. Natalie Wright scored from second on a heads-up base running play on a ball that dropped between the second baseman and the right outfielder. Hannah Schmoll ripped a pair of doubles including a RBI rocket to center while shortstop Becky Smith launched her fourth homer of the season. Her two-run blast gave the Bulldogs all the run support they needed as freshman hurler Breanna Swint held MSSU in check the rest of the way. Swint, the Marysville, Calif. native, went the distance in the circle marking her second collegiate win.

The Bulldogs, who are one of four teams still undefeated (Minnesota State University-Mankato, Augustana University and the University of Central Oklahoma are the others) in the 20-team tournament play, will conclude the HyVee Classic Sunday when they face Northeastern State University at 11:00 a.m. and the University of Central Missouri at 1:00 p.m. at the Heritage Park Sports Complex.