The sun rises in the east, water is wet and the University of Minnesota Duluth sweeps the University of Minnesota Crookston. All of those statements continue to stay true to form as the Bulldogs took both games in their double header home opener over the Golden Eagles on Wednesday.

UMD stretched its winning streak to five games after winning 9-1 in five innings and 1-0 in the rematch at the softball-turned Malosky Stadium. The Bulldogs have won all 14 double headers matchups against Minnesota Crookston, a streak that started back in 2000, and is an unblemished 28-0 all-time in the series.

Although the UMD bats accounted for eight hits on the afternoon, the Bulldog pitch staff shut down the Golden Eagles. The pitching trio of junior Valerie Hohol, and sophomores Breanna Swint and Ashley Taipale combined to give up one run on six base hits.

Swint tied her personal high for strike outs, punching out nine batters in route of her 14th victory. Her 14 wins currently tops the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and, in addition, tied for 32nd in the nation. Taipale came in relief in the fifth and sent down a pair of Golden Eagles as the Bulldogs struck out a season-high 11 in the opener. Hohol had to go the distance in game two for her 11th win. The Woodbury, Minn., native gave up four hits and a pair of walks but was in total control as Minnesota Crookston had no at-bats with runners in scoring position.

UMD (28-7; 9-3 NSIC) scored all nine runs in the opener in the second inning. In the inning, the Bulldogs corralled three hits, six walks and a hit batter. Freshman designated player Jordyn Thomas provided the back-breaking blow with her second grand slam of the year. Thomas' eighth home run easily cleared the right-field fence and nearly left Malosky Stadium altogether. Hannah Schmoll, Natalie Wright and Becky Smith all had RBI knocks before the big blast.

The second game was a pitching duel between Hohol and the Golden Eagles' duo of Luisa Silvain and Victoria Baylis. UMD, who had four lined shots snagged for outs, finally broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice bunt by Smith with runners on second and third. The senior from Long Lake, Minn., placed a 1-1 change-up down the first base line allowing Schmoll to cross home plate for the game's only run.

The Bulldogs will have an off day tomorrow before embarking to St. Cloud, Minn., to play Upper Iowa University on Friday in the Husky Dome. First pitch of that double dip will begin at 9:00 a.m.