The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team headed into their first elimination bracket game of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) tournament this afternoon, taking down the University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles 11-5 to stay alive and advance in the double elimination tournament.

Final Score: UMD (11) - UMC (5)

The Bulldogs got out to an early 1-0 lead, taking advantage of a base hit from Nathan Rosenberg finding the gap in the left side of the infield.

UMD tacked on another run in the bottom of the second, benefiting on a double from Michael Gabbard that found fair territory down the third base line to bring Gabe Richardson around from second.

The Golden Eagles responded hard in the top of the fourth, stringing together back to back solo home runs to tie the game at 2-2.

The Bulldogs would regain the advantage on an RBI single from Sam Kliber, making it a 3-2 game after four full innings.

Both teams would send baseballs over the fence throughout the fifth, with Brock Larsen sending a solo shot over right field wall and Rosenberg going yard over the left field wall to return the favor.

The Bulldogs extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth, tallying runs on an RBI base hit from Joey Flom and a sacrifice fly from Rosenberg to make it a three run lead heading into the final three innings.

Josh Dykhoff kept the Golden Eagles within striking distance in the top of the seventh, sending a two run home run down the third base line to pull UMC within one.

However, Kade Peloquin cashed in on a solo home run of his own to build the UMD lead back to two by the end of the inning.

The Bulldogs pulled away from the Golden Eagles in the eighth, tallying another four runs on a home run from Kliber, a bases loaded passed ball, and an RBI base hit from Richardson. The 11-5 scoreline held strong throughout the top of the ninth, securing the Bulldogs first win of the tournament.

Looking Ahead

Bulldog baseball (26-26, 21-19 NSIC) will face the loser of this afternoon's matchup between Minnesota State Mankato and the University of Sioux Falls. First pitch will be 45 minutes following the conclusion of the winner's bracket contest.