Rochester, Minn. - After defeating Southwest Minnesota State 1-0 on Friday morning, the University of Minnesota Duluth softball team dropped a 3-2 decision to Minnesota State, Mankato on Friday afternoon in Rochester, Minn. With the loss, the Bulldogs have been eliminated from the NSIC Tournament. If UMD fails to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, their season will come to an end. 

One of UMD's All-Conference Second Team recipients, Kiana Bender, tallied an RBI single in game one to push the Bulldogs past Southwest Minnesota State. In game two, sophomore Kat Burkhardt went 2-for-2 at the plate, while posting a massive two RBI single in the top of the seventh to get the Bulldogs within one run. Additionally, 5th-year senior Jordyn Thomas secured the 237th hit of her collegiate career in her last plate appearance in UMD's game two loss. 

5th-year senior pitcher Sam Pederson collected her third straight victory after shutting out Southwest Minnesota State in game one. In seven innings of work, Pederson held the Mustangs to just four hits, while also noting six strike outs. Pederson finishes the season with a 15-4 overall record. Sophomore Lauren Dixon got the call against Minnesota State in game two and registered seven strike outs in six innings of action. After picking up the loss, Dixon finishes the year with a 16-9 overall record. 

The Bulldogs advanced to day two of the conference tournament after defeating Wayne State College 4-3 on Thursday afternoon. However, with their 1-0 loss to St. Cloud State in the tournament's opening round, the Bulldogs were forced into the losers bracket. UMD finishes the NSIC Tournament with a 2-2 record. 

Up Next
If the Bulldogs don't receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, their season will come to an end. UMD earned a No. 10 ranking in the most recent NCAA Central Regional rankings.