It has been nothing but an historic final season for Nicole Schmitt. 

The two-time First Team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference selection and 2025 National Fastpitch Coaches' Association National Player Watchlist nominee broke three different single-season program records on the final day of the regular season. The senior infielder became the sole holder of the home run, runs batted in, and total bases records this afternoon as the University of Minnesota Duluth defeated Minot State University on the road twice by scores of 1-0 and 5-1 for a four-game weekend sweep to wrap up conference play.

The Bulldogs finished the season 38-16 overall and 18-8 in the NSIC as they clinched the fifth seed in the NSIC Postseason Tournament. UMD is one of four teams in the conference riding at least a four-game winning streak heading into the conference single-elimination tournament, which begins with first round action starting on Wednesday, April 30 in Sioux Falls, S.D. at Bowden Field. The Bulldogs will play St. Cloud State University in their quarterfinal matchup. 

Schmitt broke all three single-season records in the second game of the doubleheader against the Beavers. Schmitt smashed the home run and total base record in the first inning after decimating a 2-0 pitch in the upper part of the zone. She launched her record-breaking 17th homer deep to left field. She then tacked on another in good fashion -- No. 18 -- in the seventh on a three-run bomb, which helped her set the single-season RBI record. Schmitt, who tallied all five RBI in game two, moved ahead of Bulldog great Becky Smith for most home runs, RBIs and total bases. Smith, who was a 2018 NFCA All-American selection after putting together 16 home runs, 67 RBI and 136 total bases, held those records for seven seasons before the Verona, Wis. native etched herself in to the record books.

Behind the three-hit, five RBI performance by Schmitt, the Bulldogs won that second game 5-1 with another solid pitching effort by the pitching duo of junior Allyssa Williams and senior Allison Luoma. Williams went five innings giving up one run on four hits. Luoma came in the sixth inning to secure the win and picked up the save, her third of the season after shutting down Minot State the final two innings.

Luoma also spun a gem in the opener going the distance once again. The Iron River, Wis. native picked up her second career shutout as a Bulldog. Luoma befuddled the Minot State bats to pick up her 15th victory of the season in a 1-0 nailbiter. She pitched her 12th complete game of the year allowing three hits and no walks. It was the second straight shutout performance for the senior righty as she posted her first-ever Bulldog shutout yesterday against the University of Mary. Luoma has pitched 19 straight innings of shutout ball heading into postseason play.

Sophomore infielders Serena Timmer and Khendal Johnson each had two hits in the opener as both play a pivotal role in scoring the lone run of the ballgame in the opening frame. With two outs, TImmer singled and got to second on a single by junior catcher Kendal Jenkins. Johnson then laced a single to right field just deep enough for Timmer to score the game's only run. 

UMD begins its postseason campaign on Thursday, May 1 at 10:00 a.m. against the Huskies as it searches for its third straight NSIC Championship game appearance and second NSIC postseason crown in the last three seasons.