The University of Minnesota Duluth softball team split in two matches on Saturday, starting with a tough 9-1 loss to Central Oklahoma before bouncing back with a narrow 8-7 victory over Fort Hays State University.
 
In the first game against Central Oklahoma, UMD took an early lead in the first inning as Daphne Evans hit a solo home run. However, Central Oklahoma quickly responded, scoring two runs via a sacrifice fly and a groundout, ending the inning 2-1 in their favor.
 
The third inning proved difficult for UMD, as Central Oklahoma capitalized on a fielding error and a walk to hit a three-run homer, followed by a two-run homer, completing a five-run inning and extending their lead to 7-1. They added two more runs in the fourth inning from a single and a wild pitch, solidifying the score at 9-1.
 
Allyssa Williams pitched 2.2 innings, giving up four earned runs on four hits, and was followed by Ashley Mandell, who allowed one run on one hit in 1.1 innings of relief.
 
Offensively, Evans was the standout with her home run, contributing one run and one RBI, while Morgan McMillan added a double among her one hit in three at-bats. Khendal Johnson secured a hit and made two defensive assists at third base, and Serena Timmer also contributed defensively, recording eight putouts at first base.
 
In their second matchup against Fort Hays State, UMD found themselves in a back-and-forth battle. The game began with Fort Hays State taking an early lead with a home run in the second inning, but Johnson quickly leveled the score with her own home run to left center. The teams continued to trade blows, and after FHSU hit a two-run homer in the third, Jenkins answered for UMD with a two-run homer of her own, keeping the game tied at 3-3.
 
The fourth inning saw Fort Hays State surge ahead with a 7-3 lead due to a fielding error and several hits. UMD narrowed the gap with three runs in response, including a two-RBI single from Jenkins, closing in to 7-6. In the sixth inning, UMD tied the game as Johnson walked with the bases loaded, bringing home Jenkins.
 
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the seventh inning when McMillan's double drove in Paige Johnson, giving the Bulldogs the 8-7 victory. Maddy Walsh pitched two innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs, while Emmie Sylvia-Cochran pitched five innings of relief, giving up five hits and four runs with five strikeouts, improving her season record to 5-0.
 
Jenkins was the offensive star with three hits, including a home run, and four RBIs while scoring three times. McMillan also shone with three hits and an RBI, along with her crucial double. Johnson made her mark with a home run and two RBIs.
 
Looking ahead, the Bulldogs are set to face Emporia State University tomorrow at 10 a.m. to close out the Midwest College Classic.