Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Sophomore Sierra Thomas made sure that the University of Minnesota Duluth didn't spoil another golden opportunity with the bases loaded.

After leaving the bases juiced with the chance to go ahead the previous inning, Thomas and the Bulldogs got another shot and the Hartland, Wis., native pulled through. She smoked the single past the shortstop and third baseman to pull UMD ahead 6-5 in the sixth inning over Lewis University.

Thomas' two-run single was enough to give the Bulldogs the edge to slip past the Flyers 7-5 on the opening day of the Lewis Dome Invitational in Rosemount, Ill. UMD fell to Grand Valley State University 2-0 in the afternoon slate to carry a split against what is regarded as the two toughest opponents the Bulldogs will see this weekend as both teams were participants in the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament from a season ago.

Thomas went 2-for-4 with the two RBI and added a run in the win over the Flyers. She was the lone Bulldog to post a hit against the Lakers and also swiped a base as well in the loss.

With the split, UMD pushed its overall record to 7-3.

Lewis (5-7), coming fresh off a 5-1 win over Bemidji State University, answered every time the Bulldogs grabbed the lead. Nineteen combined hits and four lead changes between the two squads forced each team to make adjustments. UMD grabbed the early advantage on a double by sophomore Serena Timmer in the top of the second. The Flyers tied it on an error in the bottom of the inning then took the lead in the third. Timmer, again, knocked in another run in the fourth on a single to center field. Freshman Taryn Christopher registered her first career RBI on a sac fly to regain the lead. However, Lewis bounced back with three more in the bottom of fourth. 

Trailing 5-3 in the fifth, UMD scratched one across on a single by senior Nicole Schmitt, who posted three hits in the contest and her team-leading  seventh multi-hit performance, then stranded the bases loaded in the fifth. The following inning the 7-8-9 hitters for the Bulldogs all reached base allowing for the heroics by Thomas. 

Sophomore Noelle Krumrie scored on a fielding error to double the cushion and junior pitcher Allyssa Williams slammed the door shut for her third win of the year. Williams pitched the final 3.1 innings and retired all 10 batters she faced including fanning four.

In the early slate, Grand Valley State (2-2) stopped UMD with an early opportunity to strike in the first. Thomas singled, stole second and advanced to the third but was stranded 60 feet away. The Lakers cashed in on their chance in the bottom of the frame with a pair of RBI singles. GVSU's Nevaeh Ingram was dominant in the circle tossing a complete game shutout with eight strikeouts as she held onto the 2-0 lead.

The Bulldogs take on Purdue University Northwest at 3:30 p.m. and Hillsdale College at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow in the second day of the tournament.