Crookston, Minn. - Strong pitching from
Sam Pederson and
Lauren Dixon helped the Minnesota Duluth Bulldog softball team to a series sweep of the University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles on Wednesday afternoon in Crookston, Minn. With the pair of victories on Wednesday, the Bulldogs have now won eight straight games and have swept their last four NSIC series. The eight consecutive wins for UMD is their longest win streak of the season.
"We took care of business today," said Head Coach
Lynn Anderson. "Pitchers threw strikes and hit their spots, we played solid defense, and offensively came up with big hits when we needed them. Plus the sun was out so that was an added bonus."
5th-year senior
Sam Pederson got the start on the mound in game one and limited the Golden Eagles to just four hits and one run in seven innings of work. With the win, Pederson improves to 12-3 overall on the season. In game two, sophomore pitcher
Lauren Dixon collected her sixth straight victory after giving up just two hits and striking out nine batters. With the win, Dixon moves to a 16-6 overall record on the year. It's also the sixth time this season that Dixon has shutout her opponent.
On the offensive side, 5th-year senior
Jordyn Thomas labeled her program leading 52 career homer in game one. The home run would be a two RBI blast that gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead early in game one. With the long ball on Wednesday, Thomas extends her team lead in homers with ten on the season. Also tallying a home run on the day was freshman
Nicole Schmitt. Schmitt's three RBI rip gave the Bulldogs a commanding 6-1 lead in the seventh inning of game one. Schmitt would finish the day with four RBI. Additionally,
Kiana Bender,
Emma Frost,
Julia Gronholz and
Elle Potts all secured an RBI each during Wednesday's victories.
The Bulldogs currently sit tenth in the NCAA's Central Region Rankings, which were released earlier today (
Click here). In order to qualify for the NCAA D2 National Tournament, you must be ranked in the top eight. With two big road series this weekend, the Bulldogs have an opportunity to continue their climb but the rankings.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will head to Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday, April 30 for a double header against No. 12 Augustana University. Games times are set for 12:00 & 2 PM in Sioux Falls.
