The University of Minnesota Duluth hit three home runs in a five-run third inning to propel itself over Pittsburg State University in the final day of the St. Patrick's Classic in Emporia, Kan. Senior shortstop Becky Smith, freshman utility Jessica Bren and freshman first basemen Jordyn Thomas all went yard in the inning. The Bulldogs improved to 18-5 overall with the 9-3 beat down of the Gorillas.
 
UMD blasted four home runs on the day bringing its season total to 37, the most in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Bren added another bomb in sixth to bring her single-season record pace to 14. She is one home run short of tying Kierra Jeffers' mark set back in 2013.

Sophomore pitcher Breanna Swint performed well in the circle. She went the distance giving up four hits, two of which left the park. Swint, the native of Marysville, Calif., tallied her eighth win of the year, which is tied for second– with Valerie Hohol -- in the conference.
 
Senior outfielder Hannah Schmoll wrapped up the weekend with another stellar game. The Grand Rapids, Minn., native went 2-for-4 with a two-RBI double to left. During the five games in Kansas, Schmoll batted .647 with a double, a home run, six RBI and three stolen bases.
 
Thomas also had a good day at the plate as she notched three hits in four at-bats. Aside from her home run, she tacked on a double and three RBI.
 
The Bulldogs pounded out 11 hits on the afternoon compared to Pittsburg State's four. UMD is 71-5 under head coach Jen Walter when the team outhits the opposition. Walter's club is 15-0 this season.
 
UMD will have a nine-day layoff before kicking off NSIC action against St. Cloud State on March 27. That double header will be played at the Husky Dome in St. Cloud, Minn.