The University of Minnesota Duluth is still in search of its first victory of the season as West Texas University A&M and Texas A&M University-Kingsville claimed victories over the Bulldogs this afternoon on the second day of Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational. UMD will have two more opportunities tomorrow to get into the win column in Houston, Texas.

The Lady Buffs (3-1) won 12-2 in five innings in the morning contest and the Javelinas (3-0) shutout the Bulldogs later that evening to win 3-0.

West Texas had its way with UMD in today's opener. The Lady Buffs scored three times in the first two innings and plated another in the third to lead 7-0. The Bulldogs got on the board but West Texas tallied five more in the fifth inning.

It was an unpleasant outing in the circle for the Bulldogs as they allowed 12 runs off nine hits and 11 walks. Junior starting pitcher Breanna Swint was roughed up for 11 earned runs in 4.1 innings. Swint gave up eight walks and hit two batters as her control was off her expected form. Junior outfielder Jayme Langbehn saw her first collegiate action on the rubber as she came in relief. Langbehn saw three batters but failed to record an out. Senior outfielder Sammi Sadler, who made her first collegiate appearance last night, stepped in and recorded two outs.

UMD did not have enough offensively to keep pace with the Lady Buffs. Sophomore infielder Jordyn Thomas registered the Bulldogs only runs as she homered in the third inning. Thomas deposited a one-out first-pitch bomb over the right field fence scoring junior outfielder Lauren Greeder who led the inning off with a walk. Thomas, the native of Hermantown, Minn., went 3-for-3 during her plate appearances as she also cracked a double in the fifth. Sophomore catcher Jessica Bren also compiled two hits in her three at-bats. UMD was only outhit 9-7 but the Bulldogs went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position while West Texas was 4-for-12 in that department.

TAMU-Kingsville limited the Bulldog lineup to two hits and only allowed a total of four base runners as it shut out UMD for the first time this season. UMD only got one runner in scoring position and the last eight batters were retired in order.

Sadler and junior catcher Hannah Bloch each notched singles and Bren and senior infielder Kalynn Tilton each amassed free passes on four balls. Breanna Smith fired a masterful game in collecting the win, She went seven innings while spinning eight strikeouts. Her counterpart, freshman pitcher Sam Pederson went six innings, allowing all three runs but only one earned. The Javelinas broke the scoreless game in the second with a RBI groundout. They tacked on two more -- both unearned -- in the fifth after capitalizing on a throwing error. 

The Bulldogs hit the diamond tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. taking on Southeastern Oklahoma State University and follow that contest up with No. 14 Tarleton State University at 2:00 p.m.