The University of Minnesota Duluth softball team closed out its road trip with a doubleheader at Bemidji State University today, using the sixth inning in back-to-back games to clinch two wins.

Game 1:
UMD would only see runs in two innings in today's first game, but they made those innings count, scoring two in the second inning and six in the sixth to win the game 8-0.

At the top of the second, Jessica Bren scored off an RBI single up the middle from Taylor Koehnen. Bren would make it 2-0 in the fourth inning, scoring an unearned run after Emma Frost grounded out to second base.

A strong top of the sixth would see the Bulldogs bats fly and increase the lead to 8-0. Lauren Oberle singled to center field, then advanced to second base after Kiana Bender reached on a fielder's choice. The two stole third and second, respectively, after Jordyn Thomas flied out to center field. Both crossed home after Jessica Bren singled to left center for the RBI double. Emma Frost would then double to right center, allowing Bren to pass home for a second time that game. 

Emma Frost, Julia Gronholz, and Taylor Koehnen would also add runs for the Bulldogs in the inning, with Frost scoring after Gronholz tripled down the right field line. Gronholz would pass home herself after Taylor Koehnen singled to center field. After a pitching change for the Beavers, Koehnen would score thanks to a Kelly Swank single down the left field line.

Bemidji State would get two hits in the second inning and another in the fifth but would remain scoreless. Pitcher Sam Pederson would see six complete innings, giving up only three hits and zero runs with eight strikeouts.

Game 2:
Both squad's bats were quiet to start out the second game, with each pitcher only allowing one hit each in the first four innings. Lauren Oberle would record a hit in the fourth inning and Emma Frost and Sidney Zavoral would each add another in the fifth before Paige Meyer put the first run on the board for the Bulldogs off a sac fly RBI from Kelly Swank to make the score 1-0.

Once again, the sixth inning would prove to be the Bulldog's secret weapon. Kiana Bender would add another hit in the inning for the Bulldogs before scoring thanks to a single from Jessica Bren. Bren herself would score next, passing home after Emma Frost doubled to center field. Emma Frost would add another run for the Bulldogs off Taylor Koehnen's single to center field, making the score 4-0 heading into the final frame.

Bemidji State would put up a brief fight in the seventh inning, scoring a single run, but pitcher Lauren Dixon was able to hold off their advance and the game would end 4-1.

UMD now sits at 22-10 on the season, 12-6 in the NSIC. The Bulldogs will return to Malosky Stadium this coming weekend after nearly four weeks on the road. First pitch against Upper Iowa will be at 1:00pm on Saturday, with the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against Winona State slated to begin at 12:00pm. For the complete season schedule, click here.