The University of Minnesota Duluth softball team fell twice to Minnesota State University Mankato in the annual Mankato Dome Invite. Heading into the double-header, the Bulldogs were off to a 4-1 start and now drop to 4-3 in non-conference competition after a 6-4 and a 4-1 loss to the Mavericks.

The first match of the day saw a Bulldog 2-0 lead off an opening home run from Khendal Jenkins that brought home Daphne Evans, who singled to open the game. Sierra Thomas and Serena Timmer reached the base paths on walks before Maddie Oetzmann managed to force three outs. The Mavericks responded with a two-run inning as two hits off Allyssa Williams brought the score even.

The second inning saw both lineups go down to remain tied. UMD found more success in the top of the third with Morgan McMillan opening the inning with a walk and a steal to allow Johnson a single to bring her home. That would be the only run of the inning as three Bulldog runners were left stranded. The Mavericks responded by putting up four hits for four runs off a combined inning between Williams and Ashley Mandell to take the lead at 6-3.

Noelle Krumrie and McMillan were the only Bulldogs to record a hit as both teams remained scoreless in the fourth. The UMD bats found some success in the fifth inning as Jenkins' double brought Taryn Christopher home to trail the Mavericks 6-4. The Bulldogs did not earn a single hit and left three runners on in the final innings to seal game one for a loss at 6-4.

Game two saw both teams struggle to record a hit until the second inning. The Bulldogs and Mavericks recorded a singular hit in the second, with UMD leaving two runners on as Thomas recorded the only hit.

The third inning had the Bulldog bats go down in order as the Maverick bats picked up two runs off four hits from Emmie Sylvia-Cochran on the mound. UMD was unable to muster a run until the fifth inning, which only came off a sacrifice fly by Jenkins that brought home Maya Miller.

The Mavericks brought home two more runners in the fifth inning off a triple and a fielder's choice to bring the score up to 4-1. This was the last time any hits were recorded as the Bulldogs fell to their second loss of the day.

The Bulldogs next compete in the Lewis Dome Invitational on February 19^th in Rosemont, Illinois. First pitch is set for 9 a.m.