Senior pitcher Allison Luoma pitched a game one victory and senior infielder Nicole Schmitt smashed two home runs to help the University of Minnesota Duluth sweep Northern State University on Senior Day Friday afternoon at James S. Malosky Stadium.

The Bulldogs won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener 6-3 and capped off the day with an 9-1 five-inning victory to improve to 33-15 overall and 13-7 in conference play.

Not only was it a special day honoring the seniors but it turned out to be an historical one as well with Schmitt tying the program single-season home run record. Needing two homers coming into the day, the Verona, Wis. native tied the record held by Jessica Bren, who registered 16 homers during her freshman campaign in 2018.

UMD continued its stranglehold in the rivalry with the sweep. The Wolves (10-33, 4-18 NSIC) dropped 10 in a row and 14 of the last 15 to the Bulldogs. UMD scored at least six runs in both games of the double dip and improved to 23-1 this season when plating at least six runs. 

Sophomore outfielder Noelle Krumrie got the Bulldogs in gear in game one. Krumrie, who came into the afternoon leading the team in batting average in home games this spring, put UMD up 2-0 in her first two plate appearances. The Cottage Grove, Minn. native had an RBI single on a bunt in the second and tacked on another in the fourth on a well-executed ground-out chopper to the right side. Northern State did strike with three runs to take a 3-2 lead but UMD responded immediately to recapture the advantage as Luoma earned her 12th victory of the year. 

Luoma fired a complete game win needing under 100 pitches to finish off the Wolves. The Iron RIver, WIs. native allowed seven hits and two walks on the day. She also collected four strikeouts as she nears the 100 strikeouts for the season.

The sophomore pairing of infielder Khendal Johnson and outfielder Emma Ambroz each had RBIs in the bottom of the fifth to push the Bulldogs ahead 4-3. Johnson zipped a shot back up the middle to tie the game and Ambroz scored her the following at-bat on a looping triple down the right-field line. Junior outfielder Morgan McMillan and sophomore infielder Serena Timmer added insurance RBIs in the sixth to secure the 6-3 win. 

As Luoma did her part on Senior Day, Schmitt did her part in game two.

Schmitt went 2-for-2 and had a walk, three runs and four RBI on the backend of the doubleheader. The two-time NSIC First Team selection tattooed a two-run shot in the first to left after McMillan led the inning off with a walk. For Schmitt, it was her 15th homer and her fourth game with a homer in the last six. She wasn't quite done as she got a hold of another pitch the next at-bat. She launched her program-tying 16th home run to deep left center on a no-doubter as the outfielders turned and watched the ball sail over their heads. She stepped to the plate to lead off the fourth but was escorted to first on a four-pitch walk. 

Sophomore designated player Sierra Thomas also brought the lumber as she connected on her third home run of the season. The Hartland, Wis. native finished the day 4-for-6 at the dish with three RBI. Timmer, who extended her hitting streak to eight games, also went yard -- her fourth -- with Thomas as the Bulldogs strung together three home runs in the first inning alone. UMD has walloped 15 home runs in the last six games and it compiled four home runs in a game for the second time this season -- the other occasion coming versus Minnesota State six days ago. 

Junior pitcher Allyssa Williams knocked off a milestone in the second game as she notched five strikeouts to go over the 100-strikeout mark. Williams needed just five innings, allowing a lone run on a lead off home run before shooting down Northern State. She won her seventh start in the last eight to carry her record to 15-7.

UMD returns for the home finale squaring off against Minnesota State University-Moorhead tomorrow. Saturday's doubleheader is Alumni/Mandy Mutula Day at the park with the first pitch against the Dragons starting at 12:00 p.m.