Nicole Schmitt's first career home run propelled the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs to a 2-0 victory over the No. 18 Minnesota State Mavericks in game two of their double header on Saturday afternoon in Duluth, Minn. After their 3-0 loss in game one, UMD earned a split with the Mavericks on Saturday at Malosky Stadium. The split moves the Bulldogs to 21-10 overall on the season.
"Two great pitching duels today," said Head Coach
Lynn Anderson. "We went toe to toe with the 18th ranked team in the nation and I feel we are right there. We were one hit away from winning game one, the ball didn't bounce our way in that game, but it did in game two. Manufacturing a run late was good and it was great to see Nikki step up in a big moment and get her first collegiate home run. We have a full lineup that can do damage like that."
The Bulldogs received excellent pitching on the day from both
Sam Pederson and
Lauren Dixon. In game two, Pederson went seven strong innings, limiting the Mavericks to just four hits and striking out five batters. The win improves Pederson to 8-2 overall on the season. Dixon picked up the loss in game one, despite 13 strike outs in eight innings of work. Dixon now has a team-leading 119 strick outs on the season.
Offensively, UMD was led by
Kat Burkhardt and Schmitt, who each notched an RBI during Saturday's split. Schmitt's RBI came via her first career homer in the fifth inning of game two. For Burkhardt, it's her 14th RBI of the 2022 season, which ranks third on the team. Additionally,
Kiana Bender,
Emma Frost and Burkhardt all secured two hits each. UMD entered Saturday's games having scored at least six runs in each of it's previous four games.
In game one, Dixon and MSU pitcher Mackenzie Ward each pitched seven shutout innings, before the Mavericks would take control in the top of the eighth. After getting hit by a pitch, then stealing second base, MSU found themselves with a runner in scoring position in the eighth. An RBI single would drive in the leading run, making it a 1-0 game. A few batters later, a two RBI double to right center would extend MSU's lead to 3-0. The Mavericks would close out game one with a 3-0 victory in extra innings. Game two was a similar story. Neither team would plate a run through the first four innings. In the bottom of the fifth, Schmitt's homer put the Bulldogs up 1-0. An inning later, an RBI single from Burkhardt would score
Kelly Swank from second and give UMD a 2-0 lead heading to the top of the seventh. In the final half inning, Pederson shut down the Mavs to help UMD to a win over the No. 18 team in the nation.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at Malosky Stadium. Game times are set for 12 & 2 PM against Concordia-St. Paul in Duluth.
