The University of Minnesota Duluth toppled St. Cloud State University 10-2 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Quarterfinals on a breezy, and soggy Thursday morning at Bowden Field on the campus of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Bulldogs jumped out with seven runs in the opening inning -- all before an out was recorded -- including a bases-clearing grand slam by sophomore Sierra Thomas.

UMD (39-16) moves on to face top-seeded Augustana University, who defeated Minnesota State University-Moorhead 7-2, tomorrow with first pitch starting at 12:00 p.m.

Thomas' grand slam capped off a seven-run first inning where the Bulldogs chased starting pitcher Macey Clark, the 2025 NSIC Newcomer of the Year and NSIC All-Conference Second Team selection, after just seven batters. Clark only threw 28 pitchers before UMD teed her up with four hits, a pair of walks and a hit batter. A hot start was a must as Clark came into today winning eight of her last nine starts, and the Huskies carried a six-game winning streak into postseason play.

Junior Morgan McMillan and senior Nicole Schmitt, who was named the NSIC Softball Outstanding Senior of the Year today by the league coaches, got a board with singles to start off the top of the first. Sophomore Serena Timmer walked to load the bases, the first of three separate times in the frame. Junior Kendal Jenkins knocked in two of her team-high five RBI with a single into left field, scoring the duo of McMillan and Schmitt. Sophomore Khendal Johnson was hit by pitch to reload the bases and sophomore Emma Ambroz nabbed 17th RBI of the year without putting the ball in play on a five-pitch walk.

Leading 3-0 with the bases juiced, Thomas had two good hacks in the zone. She barely missed her 1-1 pitch as Thomas just fouled it back. Clark challenged her again and Thomas connected. The Hartland, Wis. native knew instantly that she tattooed her fourth home run of the season, putting UMD ahead 7-0 in the first-inning barrage. The grand slam by Thomas was the first by a Bulldog since Schmitt launched one against Winona State University on April 14, 2023.

The Bulldogs and Huskies went into a rain delay in the bottom of the second inning as the rain intensified. After roughly a 30-minute break to two clubs reappeared to resume action. 

While the overcast skies brought rain early, senior pitcher Allison Luoma brought the heat. Luoma stymied the No. 1 offense in the NSIC as she nearly tossed her third straight complete-game shutout. The Iron River, Wis. native went 25 consecutive innings before allowing a late two-run home run in the seventh. Luoma whipped up nine strikeouts and scattered seven hits to pick up her season-best 16th victory. The Huskies left 10 runners on base and Luoma held Reese Holzhueter, a NSIC First Team honoree, to a 0-for-4 day at the plate with two strikeouts.

While Luoma held SCSU scoreless through much of the day, Jenkins and UMD added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Jenkins proved worthy of her NSIC First Team honor as the catcher from Hastings, Minn. smoked a 1-0 count deep to left field. Her three-run no-doubter off relief pitcher Emma Eickhoff pushed UMD up 10-0.

The Bulldogs avenged an earlier sweep at home by the Huskies (41-15) and dealt the final blow to end a successful season for SCSU, which recorded its first 40-win season since 2019. 

UMD amassed 10 hits, its 18th game this season with at least double-digits hits. McMillan and Schmitt each went 2-for-4 with two runs. Jenkins went 3-for-4 with a sixth homer, five RBI and a stolen base. Thomas had a grand slam in her lone plate appearance.