The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team concluded its four-game stand with No. 25 Augustana University winless against the Vikings Sunday, with 12-7 and 10-5 losses at Ronken Field in Sioux, S.D. 

 

Game 1, 12-7 UMD Loss

In the final conference counting game on the weekend, the Bulldogs faced a challenging start against Augustana after the Vikings scored seven runs in the first inning. AU capitalized on a series of hits and a key throwing error, taking a 7-0 lead after the first. The Vikings extended their lead in the second frame, adding two more runs for a 9-0 advantage.

 

UMD's offense remained quiet through the first six innings, but the Bulldogs bats got hot in the seventh. Caden Chittum initiated the rally with a walk, and Michael Gabbard followed with another walk to load the bases. Joey Flom and Troy Lynch each delivered key hits, with Lynch's double driving in two runs. Henry Bushey and Hayden Anthony also contributed with walks and reached base on an error, respectively, allowing UMD to score seven runs in the inning, closing the gap to 12-7 after the seventh.

 

In the eighth and ninth innings, UMD's defense successfully held Augustana scoreless, with Jacob Haughton and Darren Loyola combining to retire the side in the ninth. Despite the comeback efforts, the Bulldogs could not add further runs, resulting in a final 12-7 loss.

 

Jalen Pascal pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and eight earned runs while striking out one batter. Caden Klebba provided stability on the mound, throwing four innings with eight hits and two earned runs, and recording four strikeouts. Joe Herrick pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up one hit and one earned run with two walks. Haughton delivered a solid performance, striking out two batters in one inning without allowing a hit. Finally, Loyola closed with a perfect inning, striking out all three batters he faced.

 

Lynch contributed significantly with two RBIs and a double, going 1-for-4 in the game. Flom added to the scoring with one hit and one RBI while also recording two assists from shortstop. Bushey went 2-for-4, driving in a run and hitting a double. 

 

Game 2, 10-5 UMD Loss

Despite scoring three runs in the fourth inning in game two, UMD was unable to overcome the early four-run deficit.

 

The Vikings surged ahead in the first inning with a four-run burst, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Sutton, establishing an early lead. The Bulldogs responded in the second inning when Thomas Hanson scored on a single to right field by Henry Bushey, narrowing the gap to 4-1.

 

Bulldogs capitalized in the fourth inning on a defensive error. Following a single by Michael Reem, Bushey delivered again with a three-run homer to right field, tying the game at 4-4 after the fourth inning. Augustana added another run in the fifth with a solo home run by Lundquist, to take a 5-4 lead.

 

UMD kept the pressure in the fifth inning when Gabe Richardson doubled and later scored on a throwing error, leveling the score at 5-5. However, the Vikings regained control in the later innings, adding runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth. Despite a solid defensive ninth inning from the Bulldogs' Joey Gizzi, the team could not close the gap in their final at-bat. 

 

UMD had varied performances on the mound, with Joe Gizzi delivering a strong showing by pitching a perfect inning with two strikeouts and no hits allowed. Cal Smith made a brief but effective appearance, pitching 2/3 of an inning without allowing a hit or run, while striking out one and issuing one walk. Michael Foley allowed five earned runs on five hits over 2 1/3 innings, including three wild pitches. Ayden Lysaght pitched 2 2/3 innings, surrendering a solo home run as his only blemish, while Austin Lahti gave up one earned run on one hit, accompanied by three walks over 1 1/3 innings.

 

Henry Bushey drove in four runs and hit a home run, leading the team in RBIs, while Gabe Richardson scored a run and added a double to his performance. 

 

The Bulldogs leave Sioux Falls with an overall record of 0-4 and 0-3 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action, and will resume play in Omaha, Neb. on Feb. 28, and March 1 against Wayne State College.

BULLDOG NOTES:  Henry Bushey, on the day, registered at least two hits in both games, and led UMD with five RBIs … Bushey also led the Bulldogs with a .364 batting average … Richardson recorded a season-high seven putouts in addition to being one of four players that logged four hits over the weekend – Bushey, Thomas Hanson, Joey Flom were the others.