For the second time in program history, the University of Minnesota Duluth will play in the NCAA Central Regional championship round after disposing Arkansas Tech University 7-4. The Bulldogs will play Emporia State University, who bested UMD 1-0 yesterday, at 4:00 p.m. at Maynard R. Johnson Field in Winona, Minn., for the central region 1 crown. No. 25 UMD needs two wins over the Hornets for the title (one today and one tomorrow with a win today).
 
UMD (42-13) defeated the Golden Suns 5-1 in the opening round of the four-team double-elimination event. Arkansas Tech finished the season 31-19 after sending home tournament host Winona State with a 4-0 win.
 
Facing elimination getting out to an early lead is crucial. Paty Loredo did that for the Golden Suns. Loredo gave her squad a 2-0 lead by sending a 3-2 mistake over junior left fielder Sammi Sadler as she watched it sail over the fence.
 
The Bulldogs needed to respond. Boy, did they have an answer.
 
UMD bombarded Arkansas Tech for six runs in the top of second taking advantage of two Golden Sun errors in the inning that came with two outs. The Bulldogs loaded the bases for Sadler. The Brooklyn Park Minn., native staying poised after falling behind 0-2 to rip a ball to the shortstop, who mishandled the bouncer, and UMD got on the board.
 
The assault didn't stop there as senior outfielder Hannah Schmoll delivered a two-RBI single past the left side and Wright registered a single to center driving in one herself. Senior shortstop Becky Smith rifled a liner in left plating two more and the Bulldogs were up 6-2 after two.
 
Janie Knowles had Arkansas tech's second home run of the afternoon, a solo shot to make it a three-run game but UMD got that run back in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Wright to score Sadler, who drew a leadoff walk.
 
Sophomore hurler Breanna Swint settled in and clouded up the Golden Sun bats. Swint picked up her 20^th win in the circle, becoming the fourth Bulldog to compile 20 wins in a season. The Marysville, Calif., native pitched a complete game eight-hitter.