The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team opened conference play against Winona State on Sunday March 19th and Monday March 20th. The Bulldogs went 1-2 on the series beating the Warriors 6-2, and falling 3-7 and 3-5. The Bulldogs are now at an overall record of 8-8 (1-2 NSIC). 

Game One
The Bulldogs stuck first in game one against the Warriors. Michael Gabbard walked and would spend a short turn on the bases before Tim Pokornowski doubled to right field, sending the Bulldogs up 1-0. After solid defense from both sides, it wouldn't be until the fourth inning until the Bulldogs would score again. 

Ethan Cole created momentum for the Bulldogs with a triple to center field. The Bulldogs then capitalized on a Warrior error to bring their lead to two. The Bottom of the fourth brought the Warriors first run of the game, cutting the lead to one. The Bulldogs wouldn't see another run until the top of the sixth when Sam Tanner homered to right field with two outs, bringing the score to 3-1; however, their two-out rally was short lived with a ground ball to the pitcher.
 
The Warriors added another run in the seventh bringing the score within one, but the Bulldogs would capitalize on the Warriors and score three runs in the eighth. Defensively the Bulldogs held the Warriors to only two runs, giving them a final score of 6-2

Game two
Game two started slower, a defensive battle until the top of the second inning. The Bulldogs struck first once again. A selective at bat from Cole and Tanner gave the Bulldogs early baserunners. Thomas Hanson doubled to left field scoring two runs. 

The Bulldogs continued their successful defense through the fourth inning when the Warriors managed to score one, making the score 3-1. The score would stay the same until the bottom of the sixth, when the Warriors went on to score six runs, taking their first lead of the game. The Bulldogs were unable to gain any momentum of their own and fell in game two 7-3. 

Game three
On theme for the Bulldogs, they struck first thanks to Ethan Cole who singled down the right field line. The Bulldogs held the Warriors until the third inning when they scored one. The Bulldogs managed to keep it a 1-1 game until the fifth inning when Tim Porkornowski knocked in Tosten Mann bringing the score to 2-1. 

The Bulldogs pulled in another run in the eighth inning thanks to a Gabe Richardson RBI bringing the score to 3-1. The Bulldogs tried to hang on to their lead, but the warriors came up big in the bottom of the eighth scoring four runs and winning the game 5-3. 

Up Next
The Bulldogs are set for their next conference series against the Cougars of Sioux falls. The series will take place in Sioux City, IA. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 am.