During Friday's home opener in Duluth, the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs softball team used 10-1 and 10-3 victories over the University of Mary Marauders to earn a series sweep. It's the first time this season that the Bulldog offense has hit double digits. The pair of wins gives UMD a 2-2 record in NSIC play and a 17-8 overall record on the season. 

On the day, Elle Potts led the Bulldogs with three RBIs, while also tallying a homerun and a triple. Kiana Bender added to her team lead in RBIs after hitting a homerun and batting in four runs across both wins on Friday. Additionally, a committee of Bulldogs noted multiple RBIs on the day, including Nicole Schmitt, Kate Mohr and Dea Deleon. 

Picking up her team leading seventh victory of the season, Lauren Dixon pitched five lights out innings in game one, giving up just three hits and one earned run. Christin Hartman got the start in game two and improved to 3-0 on the season after noting three strikeouts in seven innings of work. 

In game one, the Bulldogs broke the game open in the bottom of the second inning. Trailing by one, a leadoff double by Kelly Swank would get the offense going. An RBI sac fly to center field from Schmitt would score Swank to even the game up. During the next at bat, Mohr would secure an RBI single to score Kat Burkhardt from third base and give the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage. After posting three more runs in the inning, the Bulldogs were in control heading to the third inning. In the bottom of the third, Schmitt would show off her speed and extend UMD's lead to 6-1. While stationed at second base, Schmitt would be waved around third after a Deleon single. Schmitt would use a beautiful side to avoid a Marauder's tag and slide in safely. The Bulldogs would add four more runs in the bottom of the fourth to complete the run-rule. 

Game two saw a tighter contest between the two sides. While scoreless in the bottom of the second, a routine single into left field from Deleon would turn into extra bases. With runners on second and third, Deleon punched a single into left field to score both Burkhardt and Sidney Zavoral. However, an error ball by the UMary left fielder would allow Deleon to circle the bases and score. The dramatic play would put UMD ahead 4-0 through three innings of play. In the fourth, a UMary three-run homer would cut the Bulldogs lead to 4-3. UMD wasted no time answering back. With two runners one, Potts stepped into the batters box and labeled her third homerun of the season over the left field fence to put Duluth ahead 7-3. The Bulldogs added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to finish off a 10-3 win and a series sweep. 

Next Up
The Bulldogs will host Minot State University at 11 AM & 1 PM on Saturday at Malosky Stadium in Duluth, Minn.