Behind a dominate, seven-inning complete game performance from junior left-handed pitcher Rece Dietrich, the University of Minnesota Duluth prevailed 8-1 in the opening game of its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader against Winona State University, but dropped the rematch 12-6 to the Warriors Saturday afternoon in Winona, Minn.

In the opener, the Bulldogs jumped on the Warriors early, using a three-run first inning and a five-run second inning to build an 8-0 advantage. Rookie designated hitter Tosten Mann got the scoring started for the Bulldogs with a double to right field, driving in sophomore center fielder Henry George. Later in the inning, rookie shortstop McCale Peterson ripped a two-run single up the middle, bringing in both Mann and senior first baseman Tyler Wojciechowski. George, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs in the game, stretched UMD's lead in the second inning with a base hit that drove in junior catcher Reid Rubio and senior third baseman Eric Yachinich. The Bulldogs would strike again in the second inning with a two-run base hit from Drew Stewart and a double from Wojciechowski to put ump up 8-0.  Dietrich (2-1), in his fifth start of the season, gave up one run (unearned) and six hits while fanning three and walking none in first complete game as a Bulldog.

In the rematch, the Bulldogs (6-18 overall, 4-11 in the NSIC) couldn't keep pace with the Warriors (14-11; 8-6 NSIC), who scored multiple runs in six different innings. Trailing 4-0, UMD got on the board in the second inning when Mann advanced home on Yachinich's infield single. Later in the frame, Peterson would score when Rubio grounded into a double play to cut the Warrior lead in half.   In the third inning, Mann, who had four hits in the doubleheader, laced a double to left field to drive in junior right fielder Drew Stewart. The Bulldogs would generated more offense in the sixth inning when senior left fielder Cory Krolikowski scored on an infield single from Anders Brown and a Henry George single, his sixth hit of the afternoon, drove in two more Bulldogs and brought UMD to within two runs at 8-6. Winona State added two runs in the seventh and eight innings to salvage a split in the twinbill. Sophomore pitcher Liam Blaschko (0-1), in his first start of the season, was torched for six runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings of work. Fellow sophomore Mitchell Waletzki tossed 4.0 innings in relief but was also roughed up by the Warrior bats, allowing six runs on five hits while striking out four and surrendering three walks. UMD sophomore pitcher Paul Petit tossed a scoreless 1.2 innings to finish the game..

The Bulldogs will be back in action Sunday (April 7) when they take on Winona State in another doubleheader beginning at noon at Loughrey Field in Winona, Minn.