Duluth, Minn. - Despite a downpour of rain, seven home runs and 23 runs in two games helped the Minnesota Duluth softball team to a sweep of the Bemidji State Beavers on Tuesday afternoon in Duluth. On the day, the Bulldogs put together 10-2 and 13-2 victories to extend their win streak to five games. The pair of wins moves the Bulldogs to 10-4 in NSIC play. 

"Two good outings from our pitchers and overall good defense behind them," said Head Coach Lynn Anderson. "It was great to have the bats come alive more today. What we've talked about is keeping the gas pedal on and not being satisfied with one big offensive inning. Our team consistently attacked the ball today and we had some really good heads up base running to take advantage of extra bases when we could."

Kat Burkhardt led the charge offensively for the Bulldogs as she turned in two home runs and five total RBIs on Tuesday. 5th-year senior Jordan Thomas added to her program leading home run total on Tuesday as she labeled her 49th career homer in game one. Additionally, Kelly Swank, Emma Frost, Elle Potts and Nicole Schmitt all noted a home run each during Tuesday's games. 

Lauren Dixon got the call on the mound in game one and gave up just two runs in six innings of action. Paired with seven strike outs, Dixon now holds a 10-5 record on the season. In game two, Christin Hartman made her first start since April 1. Hartman gave up just two runs and struck out five batters for her fourth win of the year. UMD did not go to the bullpen in either game on Tuesday. 

After hitting her first career homer against Minnesota State this past Saturday, Schmitt ignited UMD's offense early in game one on Tuesday. In the bottom of the second, Schmitt used an RBI single to score Burkhardt and give UMD the early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the third, Swank and Burkhardt would each tally RBI singles to drive in a couple more runs. The Beavers tightened the game up with two runs of their own in the top of the fifth, making it a 3-2 UMD advantage. However, the Bulldogs weren't fazed by a one-run lead. In the bottom of the fifth, an RBI double from Thomas, followed by a monster two RBI homer from Burkhardt would give the Bulldogs a quick 6-2 lead. After BSU failed to score in the top half of the sixth, UMD would put the game away. Back-to-back homers from Swank and Thomas gave UMD an eight-run lead in the sixth, meaning an early end to game one. 

In game two, the rain began to fall heavily in Duluth. Two quick runs from Bemidji State in the top of the first inning would motivate UMD to stay focused. In the bottom of the first, Minnesota Duluth answered with four big runs to stun the Beavers and take a 4-2 lead to the second inning of play. The Bulldogs continued the onslaught down the stretch and were looking for the knockout blow in the bottom of the fifth. Needing a few runs to end the game, Potts and Schmitt labeled home runs to put the game away. Despite surrendering a pair of hits in the top of the fifth, Hartman closed the game out with two straight strike outs.

Up Next
The Bulldogs will head to Winona State on Friday, April 15 for a double header with the Warriors. UMD will then hit the road for games at Upper Iowa and MSU-Moorhead before returning home on Saturday, April 23.