The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball kicks off their annual journey through the RussMatt Central Florida Invite this week, beginning with a matchup against the Malone University Pioneers on Tuesday, Mar. 11, at 3:45 PM CST.

 

Last Time Out

 

The Bulldogs played out their previously postponed four game series with fellow Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), collecting a series sweep over the University of Sioux Falls Cougars at US Bank Stadium.

 

UMD kicked off their four game schedule on Saturday with a walk-off victory, cashing in a two run home run from Garrett Stauffacher in extra innings to secure the game one win. The Bulldogs continued the momentum early in game two, putting up the only two runs of the game in the first inning.

 

The Bulldogs put up a trio of RBI hits in the first inning to get things going on day two. The back and forth battle between the two teams took an RBI double from Thomas Hanson in the bottom of the sixth to push UMD ahead for the 10-9 win. In game two, a monstrous seven run sixth inning for the home team was enough to stay ahead throughout the remainder of the game, securing the Bulldogs the four game series sweep before their nine game road trip.

 

Last Week's Highlight Players

 

Player

 

#10 Nathan Rosenberg - 4 GP, 6-12 (.500), 5 RBI, .917 SLG%

 

Pitcher

 

#23 Caden Klebba - 7.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 5 SO, 1 BB, 1 H, 1-0 W-L

 

Scouting Report - Malone University

 

The Malone University Pioneers are 6-6 to kick off the 2025 season, most recently falling to Wayne State University (Mich.) 21-3 on Saturday.

 

The Bulldogs are 0-1 against the Pioneers, falling to Malone 4-6 in 2018 in Florida. The Pioneers' offense is currently led by senior outfielder #30 Anthony Bartiromo, who is batting 12-30 (.400) with two home runs and a 1.222 OPS.

 

Scouting Report - Rockhurst University

 

The Rockhurst University Hawks are 9-4 to open the 2025 season, most recently falling to Tiffin University (Ohio) 6-5 on Sunday.

 

This will be the first matchup between the Bulldogs and the Hawks in recent history. The Hawks' offense is currently led by senior outfielder #32 Matthew Brimacombe, who is batting 18-36 (.500) with nine RBIs and a 1.154 OPS.

 

Scouting Report - Embry Riddle University (Fla.)

 

The Embry-Riddle University Eagles are 11-6 throughout the 2025 season so far, most recently coming off a 14-0 victory over Wayne State College.

 

The Bulldogs are 0-1 against the Eagles all time, falling to them 2-5 in last years' Russmatt Invite. The Eagles' offense is currently led by graduate student outfielder #5 Max Kops, who is batting 29-77 (.377) with seven home runs and a 1.152 OPS.

 

Scouting Report - Wayne State University (Mich.)

 

The Wayne State University (Mich.) Warriors are 6-6 overall throughout the 2025 season, most recently taking down Malone University 21-3.

 

The Bulldogs are 5-9 against the Warriors since 2013, falling to them 1-3 in their most recent matchup in last year's RussMatt Invite. The Warrior offense is currently led by sophomore second baseman #5 Brady Blakita, who is batting 7-17 (.412) with three RBIs and a 1.133 OPS.

 

Scouting Report - Saint Michael's College

 

The Saint Michael's College Purple Knights are 1-3 to open the 2025 season, most recently taking down Kutztown University 15-12 in their doubleheader finale. 

 

The Bulldogs are 4-1 against the Purple Knights since 2014, defeating SMC 13-6 in the two teams' most recent matchup back in 2015. The Purple Knights offense is currently led by sophomore outfielder #20 Dom Tetta, who is batting 3-5 (.600) with two RBIs and a 1.467 OPS.

 

Bulldogs Against the Rest

 

After four games of the 2025 season, the Bulldogs now sit within the top five throughout the NSIC in nine statistical categories and top three in six categories, including: 

 

Complete Games - 1 (3rd in NSIC, 45th in NCAA)

Earned Run Average - 5.16 (5th in NSIC, 88th in NCAA)

Fielding Percentage - 0.984 (3rd in NSIC, 7th in NCAA)

Hits Allowed per Nine Innings - 9.30 (4th in NSIC, 84th in NCAA)

Shutouts - 1 (2nd in NSIC, 49th in NCAA)

Strikeouts per Nine Innings - 9.3 (5th in NSIC, 45th in NSIC)

Triples - 3 (2nd in NSIC, 125th in NCAA)

Triples per Game - 0.38 (2nd in NSIC, 42nd in NCAA)

Win Percentage - 0.750 (3rd in NSIC, 22nd in NCAA)

 

Looking Ahead

 

Bulldog baseball returns from the sunshine state next week for a four game tilt with the Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks. First pitch against the Mavericks is currently set for Friday, Mar. 21, at 1:30 PM.