The University of Minnesota Duluth swept Bemidji State University in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference double header Wednesday at James S. Malosky Stadium in Duluth, Minn. The Bulldogs won the first end of the double header 6-3 then finished off the Beavers taking game two 4-1.

UMD received solid performances from junior outfielder Morgan McMillan and junior pitcher Allyssa Williams in the pair of victories to help the Bulldogs improve to 22-10 on the season and grab their first NSIC wins on the second day of conference action.

McMillan went 3-for-6 with a walk and three RBI at the plate. She also chipped in three stolen bases. Williams nearly went the distance in the second game, taking a shutout all the way until the seventh inning. The Yuba City, Calif., native hurled 6.1 innings and held the Beavers (14-16, 1-5 NSIC) in check allowing only six base runners before turning over to sophomore pitcher Maddy Walsh to collect her first save of the season and third overall.

In both games, UMD jumped out to early 1-0 advantages and extended its cushion with additional insurance runs before Bemidji State could strike. The Bulldogs built a 6-0 lead in the opener and a 4-0 advantage in the back end of the double dip. 

Senior infielder Nicole Schmitt kept pace in her pursuit of the NCAA RBI leader this afternoon. Schmitt tied Zoey Neal of Harding University with her 49th RBI of the season on her single in her first at-bat of the day. McMillan added to the lead in the third with a RBI single of her own. The Roseville, Calif., native tallied two more RBI in a four-run fourth frame as freshman infielder Taryn Christopher cashed in two runs on her single to straight-away center. Senior righty Allison Luoma registered her eighth win, firing 5.1 innings while striking out four.

The Bulldogs used the long ball and the short game to gather their lead in game two. Sophomore infielder Serena Timmer launched her second home run of the year in the first inning. Sophomore infielder Khendal Johnson almost hit a bomb herself as she skipped a one-hopper off the wall in deep center to score Schmitt all the way from first. UMD also successfully placed a sacrifice squeeze bunt. Christopher placed a perfect bunt down the third-base line with the runners on the corners and the speedy junior catcher Kendal Jenkins raced home and slid under the tag and was determined safe after video review. Johnson also showcased her wheels as she scored from second base after a potential dropped third out at first base for the fourth and final run from the Bulldogs.

Williams did her part as she needed just 69 pitches to get the first 19 outs. She induced an inning-ending double play and she also slammed the door shut on a potential scary situation with runners on second and third and no one out in the fifth.

The Bulldogs will use Thursday to travel to Sioux Falls, S.D., where they will play Wayne State College and No. 10 Augustana University on Friday and Saturday in a pair of twinbills in their first road conference engagements of the season.