The University of Minnesota Duluth defeated Northern State University twice on Thursday for a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference sweep. The Wolves were no match for the Bulldogs as UMD outscored Northern State 24-2 at Malosky Stadium. The Bulldogs (31-8; 13-3 NSIC) stormed past the Wolves (20-16; 10-6 NSIC) needing only five innings in each contest, taking the games 14-2 and 10-0.

Seniors Hannah Schmoll, Becky Smith, and Natalie Wright each started in their 200th consecutive games during the double header. Smith and Wright, who each attained the milestone in the opener, have started in every single game since their arrival on campus. Schmoll, who was one start behind her teammates, accomplished the feat in the second game. All three are staring down the records of all-time consecutive starts and most games played with 10 regular season contests left. Tyra Kerr (2010-13) holds the ironman streak with 209 straight starts and Jordan Rice (2012-15) occupies the most games played with 212.

In addition, head coach Jen Walter notched her 100th win at UMD. Walter became UMD's fastest softball head coach to reach the triple-digit mark, achieving it in 145 games passing Jen Banford, who needed 182 games.

UMD shelled out 26 hits and hit .531 during the double header as they stretched their winning streak to a conference-high nine games, which also tied their season-long. Smith paced the Bulldogs at the plate with six hits, three for doubles, in seven at bats. Wright posted four hits while sophomore Lexi Janigo, freshman Taylor Koehnen, freshman Jordyn Thomas and junior Kalynn Tilton sported a 1.000 batting average for the afternoon.

Four batters homered off the Wolves -- freshman Jessica Bren (her team- and NSIC-leading 15th), Jordyn Thomas (ninth), junior Kalynn Tilton (fifth), and Wright (fourth). Bren, who has the most homers among NCAA II freshmen, tied the Bulldog single-season home run record with her blast in the second game. UMD is up to 50 home runs for the season, 12 shy of shattering the school record.

All four pitchers toed the rubber for the Bulldogs. Collectively, the unit allowed 10 hits and held the Wolves 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The only mistake of the day came in the opener on a two-run home run by Kaitlyn King. Sophomore Breanna Swint grabbed her 16th win and 14th straight winning decision in the circle while junior pitcher Valerie Hohol collected her 13th victory in a combined shutout with sophomore Ashley Taipale.

The defense also did their part. Bren threw out her fourth attempted base stealer and junior Sammi Sadler tallied UMD's 10th outfield assist of the year. The Bulldogs made no errors in either game, and have won all 18 games this season when playing clean softball.

UMD will head to the University of Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State University on Sunday and Monday. The dates and times have changed to ready the fields in both Marshall, Minn., and Sioux Falls, S.D. after the significant snowfall this past week. Game times will be posted later on umdbulldogs.com.