The University of Minnesota Duluth ended its road trip with a 4-4 record after splitting a series with Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponent Northern State University by dropping the first game 3-1, then rebounding to take game two 4-2.

The Bulldogs (30-14 overall; 14-6 NSIC) have now been held to one run, or scoreless, in four of their last six games; compared to just five times in their first 38 games. 

UMD got things rolling in game one, thanks to a two-out RBI single from freshman third baseman Lauren Oberle in the third inning. But that's all the run support senior southpaw Sam Hartmann would get as she tied a season-high seven strikeouts with her 6.0 inning performance. Hartmann (11-7) has yet to concede a walk in her last five appearances and has allowed just 14 walks in 112.2 innings pitched along with 5.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Wolves would take a 2-0 lead after a three-hit, two-run fifth inning. NSU would add on an insurance run in the sixth and take game one 3-1. 

In the rematch, Oberle once again got things started for the Bulldogs, connecting on a two-out, bases-loaded single to the shortstop to take a 1-0 lead. Eight batters would step to the plate in the bottom of the fourth for NSU, but UMD kept the damage to a minimum as it found itself in a 2-1 hole. Wasting no time, junior center fielder Hannah Schmoll doubled down the left field line on a 0-0 count in the fifth. Junior second baseman Natalie Wright would follow with a double of her own, tying things up at two apiece. In the same inning, back-to-back two-out singles from junior shortstop Becky Smith and sophomore right fielder Sammi Sadler put the Bulldogs ahead 3-2. An RBI double from designated player Ashley Taipale in the seventh gave UMD a cushion as it took game two 4-2. Taipale would go 3-for-4 at the plate. Five Bulldogs would collect multiple hits in the game. Freshman pitcher Breanna Swint threw for three scoreless innings of relief while picking up her fifth win of the season.

UMD will return to action against Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday (Apr. 22) with games at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Bulldogs will play their next six games at home, where they are 8-2 on the season.