The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team took care of business in their first matchup of the 2025 RussMatt Central Florida Invite, collecting a 6-5 victory over the Malone University Pioneers in Auburndale, Florida.

Final Score: UMD (6) - MU (5)

The Bulldogs broke open the scoring in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single from freshman Nick Thompson to score Thomas Hanson from third. The Pioneers got their chance to respond in the top of the fourth, scoring a run of their own on an RBI double from Robert Gumino.

Malone added another in the fifth with Anthony Bartiromo poking an RBI single out to the right field grass, giving the Pioneers the lead 2-1.

Their lead did not last long, however, as the Bulldogs capitalized in the bottom of the fifth. With the bases loaded to open the offensive side, Sam Kliber made contact to score Gabe Richardson on a fielder's choice. Ethan Pettis added to the runs on the very next at bat, sending  a sacrifice fly to the right fielder to score Garrett Stauffacher and Joey Flom.

The 4-3 lead for UMD held until the top of the seventh, as Malone cut their deficit to one on a sacrifice fly of their own from Chris Munoz. Though the Bulldogs got their run right back with Kliber collecting another RBI on another fielder's choice.

The Pioneers collected a pair of RBI singles in the eighth and ninth innings to tie things up at 5-5 heading into the final half inning of the game. After a pair of outs to open the side, Flom was able to reach on a walk and get himself into scoring  position on a wild pitch. With one final  out to go, Kliber went on to walk it off with an RBI single and collect the win 6-5 for the Bulldogs.

Looking Ahead

Bulldog baseball (7-2, 6-2 NSIC) looks forward to an early morning matchup tomorrow for day two in the sunshine state against the Rockhurst University Hawks. First pitch against the Hawks is currently set for 8:00 AM (CST).