The University of Minnesota Duluth began its final non-conference tournament action with a split Friday after falling to Northeastern State University in the opener before squashing host Emporia State University in the night cap at the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan.

The Bulldogs had their nine-game winning streak come to a close in the 5-1 setback to the RiverHawks. They rebounded nicely, however, to swat the Hornets 13-4 in five innings. With the split, UMD pushed its record to 16-4 overall.

After an offensive barrage that saw the offense explode for 50 runs on 43 hits (16 home runs) and 16 walks in the previous five games, it looked as if all cylinders were still firing as it began the St. Patrick's Classic.

Senior center fielder Hannah Schmoll led the game off with a single to right but the Bulldog bats fell silent for a prolonged period. Northeastern State pitcher Gail Young sent down 14 in-a-row before sophomore Ashley Taipale came in to deliver a pinch-hit double off the left field fence in the fifth. Sophomore catcher Lexi Janigo singled through the gap in left to start a two-out rally but that ended before anything could materialize. Junior Kalynn Tilton snapped the shutout bid with a solo homer to left to lead off the seventh.

Junior Valerie Hohol, the reigning Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week, took her second loss of the season after surrendering five runs (four earned) in four-plus innings of work. Taipale took the circle in the fifth and gave up only one hit while striking out a pair.

The bats got going in the second game. Schmoll and junior outfielder Sammi Sadler each went 3-for-3 at the plate as the Bulldogs ripped 11 hits. The defending National Fastpitch Coaches Association National Player of the Week Jessica Bren lined an eight-pitch at-bat to left, plating two as part of a five-run second inning that opened the game to 7-2.

UMD got the majority of their production from senior Natalie Wright. The second baseman from Wyoming, Minn., carried the team going 2-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and an RBI walk. It was her first and last at-bats that hampered the hometown Hornets.

The two-time NSIC first team selection got ahold of a first pitch strike in the first inning and parked it over the right field fence. Later, Wright delivered the crushing blow with a forget-about-it grand slam -- the Bulldogs' third one of the season—to the opposite field to put the maroon-and-gold up 13-4. Wright tallied seven RBI and became the third Bulldog to collect at least six RBI in a game this season (Jordyn Thomas-7, Titon-6).

Sophomore right hander Breanna Swint dialed in four strong innings as she allowed two earned runs. She collected her collegiate-high seventh win to tie Hohol for the club lead. Freshman Brandie Goldberg made her debut in relief. The Superior, Wis., native hurled the last inning of the blowout not allowing a hit in her first collegiate action.

The Bulldogs are back at it again tomorrow as they open the second day of the St. Patrick's Classic with Missouri Southern State University and the University of Central Oklahoma. The first pitch for UMD will commence at 10:00 a.m. at Cannon Field at the Trusler Sports Complex.