The University of Minnesota Duluth opened the season 2-0 for the first since 2012 with back-to-back victories over Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe Southwest Minnesota State University in non-conference action. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Mustangs by dispatching them 10-2 in six innings and 10-1 in five innings in West St. Paul, Minn.

UMD and SMSU both had its season openers on Monday at the West St. Paul Regional Athletic Center. The West St. Paul dome was been a second home to the Bulldogs since they first started playing games there in 2013. UMD is 29-6 inside the facility and SMSU has yet to defeat the Bulldogs inside the dome (6-0).

UMD showed patience at the plate and capitalized off the Mustangs' errors. UMD pounded out 21 hits (six doubles), drew nine free passes and scored 10 unearned runs during the double dip. The first inning set the tone early as the Bulldogs crossed the plate seven times with a Mustang fielding error providing an additional out.

SMSU had difficulties protecting the base paths as well. The Mustangs threw out two would-be base runners but allowed nine stolen bases on the afternoon. Senior outfielder Hannah Schmoll, who has mastered the craft as UMD's all-time base stealer, nabbed a team-high three stolen bases. Six different players for UMD would swipe a bag.

Junior outfielder Sammi Sadler paced the Bulldogs at the plate. She was a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, a sacrifice fly and 4 RBI. Senior second baseman Natalie Wright blasted three hits for a team-high five RBI. Sophomore third baseman Lauren Oberle drew three walks while connecting for a pair of hits.

Junior pitcher Valerie Hohol tossed a gem in the opener, firing six strong innings allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks. She pitched out of her one-and-only tough jam and fanned nine batters, a career high. Sophomore hurler Breanna Swint toed the rubber on the backend of the twinbill and backed that up with another solid outing. Swint tossed five innings of three-hit ball giving up one lone run in the first frame while sending two Mustangs back on strikes.

Freshman catcher/designated hitter Jessica Bren etched her first collegiate playing time earning the start as the extra bat in game one then catching the next. The Chanhassen, Minn., native went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double and two runs.

The Bulldogs will have 10 days before they embark a four-day trip to St. Joseph, Mo. and Bentonville, Ark. UMD will start the road trip with a double header against Missouri Western State University on Feb. 15 before playing six games at the UAM 8-State Classic.