After successfully whipping up its sixth Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference sweep of the season, the University of Minnesota Duluth collected its 23rd and 24th straight victories over the University of Mary this afternoon in Bismarck, N.D.

The Bulldogs, who last lost to the Marauders back in 2014, worked up a 3-0 shutout in game one behind a stellar pitching performance from senior pitcher Allison Luoma. Junior Allyssa Williams and sophomore Maddy Walsh combined in the circle to lead UMD to a 4-1 in game two

The Bulldogs pitching staff limited the Marauders to just one run on seven hits with 15 strikeouts in the two combined games. The one lone run was the fewest runs allowed in a NSIC doubleheader by UMD.

Luoma pitched her first shutout of her Bulldog career. The Iron River, Wis., native notched her 11th complete game, firing nine strikeouts for her 14th win of the year. Her nine strikeouts were one shy of matching her season high. The three hits given up by Luoma was the fewest in a seven-inning game for the senior. 

The Bulldogs compiled eight hits in the opener. Three Bulldogs registered a pair of hits. Sophomore designated hitter Billi Connell had two of those hits leading to a team-leading two RBIs, both off singles in the second and the sixth. Junior outfielder Morgan McMillan tallied an RBI single in the fifth and also nabbed a pair of hits including the lone Bulldog double. Sophomore infielder Khendal Johnson was the last Bulldog to corral two base knocks.

U-Mary (9-42; 2-24 NSIC) dropped its 22nd in a row after falling 4-1 in the backend of the Saturday double dip. UMD jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two and a comfortable 4-0 advantage by the fourth. 

Senior infielder Nicole Schmitt paced the offense with three of the nine hits in the second game. Schmitt went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run in the contest and McMillan posted a pair of RBIs.

Junior catcher Kendal Jenkins gave UMD a 1-0 on an early RBI double. Sophomore outfielder Noelle Krumrie and McMillan each gathered RBIs during their at-bats in the second to give the Bulldogs a three-run lead. Finally, McMillian tacked on the final insurance run with her 15th double and 35th RBI of the season. 

Williams amassed her team-leading 16th win and eighth win in conference action – both tied for sixth best in the NSIC this spring. The Yuba City, Calif. Native tossed the first five innings allowing just two base hits and a walk while fanning three. Walsh came in to clean up the final two frames as the Duluth, Minn. native also struck out three batters in the win. 

UMD (36-16; 16-8 NSIC) will partake in its regular season doubleheader finale against Minot State University tomorrow in Minot, N.D. First pitch is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.