Brandon, SD -- The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs faced Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks on Wednesday night in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament. The Bulldogs failed to overcome the Mavericks 8 first inning runs as the Mavericks won 20-4. 

The Mavericks got out to a hot start in the bottom of the first as they scored 8 runs in the inning, thanks to a pair of singles, a double and a three-run home run as the Mavericks led 8-0. The Bulldogs answered in the top of the second inning as Jack Puder doubled to right field as Brodie Paulson scored. Paulson added two more runs in the top of the third as he hit a two-run home run to left center to make it a 8-3 game. From there, the Mavericks offense took over once again as they scored 5 runs in the bottom of the third inning, thanks to a pair of home runs to center field and then a double to right field as they led 13-3. The Mavericks added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning off of a bases loaded fielders choice. After two scoreless innings for both teams, the Mavericks capped off their offensive explosion with 6 more runs in the top of the 7th inning, off of a walk and a trio of singles. Brandt Kolpack added a run for the Bulldogs in the top of the 9th as he hit his second home run of the season as the Bulldogs lost 20-4. 

Brandt Kolpack, Brodie Paulson and Alex Wattermann all tallied two hits on the night. Paulson added two RBI's and two runs on the night, while Kolpack and Jack Puder added the other RBI's. Isaac Benesh got the start for the Bulldogs but only managed to go 0.1 innings after he gave up 5 hits and 7 earned runs. Cam Kline got the start and the win for the Mavericks as he went 6.0 innings and gave up 9 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 9 batters. 

The Bulldogs will look to continue their postseason as they will face off against Sioux Falls at 12:30 PM at First National Bank Field.