The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team swept Minot State University in Williston, N. D. by scores of 9-3 and 7-6 Friday at Rabon Field.
Game One, 9-3 UMD Win
UMD tallied 13 hits and capitalized on a four-run fifth inning defeat the Beavers in the opening game. Minot State started with an early lead after hitting a home run, but UMD responded in the third when Nikhil Kandi scored on a single through the right side by Sam Kliber, tying the game at 1-1.
The Bulldogs took control in the fifth inning with a four-run surge. After Kandi walked and Michael Gabbard singled, Kliber drove in Kandi with a single. Logan Myers followed with a single, scoring Gabbard. Troy Lynch's single to center field brought home Kliber and Myers, pushing the lead to 5-1.
In the sixth inning, the scoring continued as Kandi and Gabbard both singled, setting up a two-RBI single by Myers, extending the lead. Gabe Richardson doubled, allowing Myers to advance to third, and Lynch grounded out, bringing Myers home. Hayden Anthony's single scored Richardson, completing a four-run inning for a 9-1 lead.
The Beavers managed to add two runs in the seventh inning when Williamson homered to center field, scoring a pinch runner, but MSU would get no closer.
Henry Wilkinson delivered a complete game performance, pitching seven innings and allowing five hits and three earned runs while striking out five. Despite giving up two home runs, Wilkinson did not issue any walks and faced 27 batters. His efficiency was highlighted by inducing nine flyouts and seven groundouts. Wilkinson's ability to prevent runners from scoring in key situations contributed significantly to the team's competitive showing.
Myers led the offensive charge with two hits and three RBIs, scoring twice in the game. Kliber contributed with two hits and two RBIs, adding one run, while Lynch drove in three runs with a hit, playing a crucial role with runners on base.
Game Two, 7-6 UMD Win
The Bulldogs secured the win with a key two-run seventh inning, holding off a late rally from the Beavers. Notably, the team achieved a season high of 14 fielding assists during the game.
The game began quietly, with both teams scoreless in the first inning. In the second inning, Troy Lynch doubled to left field, setting the stage for Garrett Stauffacher to ground out to second base, allowing Lynch to score the game's first run. UMD led 1-0 after two innings. Troy Lynch also recorded a season-high total of 14 putouts, highlighting his defensive contributions.
The third inning saw the Bulldogs extend their lead significantly. Michael Gabbard singled to the pitcher, and Sam Kliber walked, advancing Gabbard to second. Gabe Richardson then singled up the middle, driving in both Gabbard and Kliber. Hayden Anthony capped the inning with a two-run homer to center field, scoring Lynch, who had singled earlier in the inning. UMD took a commanding 5-0 lead after the third inning. Both Gabbard and Anthony have been on impressive hitting streaks, with Gabbard scoring two or more runs and recording two or more hits in two consecutive games, while Anthony has recorded two or more hits in four consecutive games.
Minot State responded in the fourth inning with a solo home run, cutting the deficit to 5-1. The home team added another run in the fifth inning on a groundout, narrowing the score to 5-2.
In the sixth inning, Madas hit a two-run homer down the right field line for MSU, making it a one-run game at 5-4. However, the Bulldogs regained momentum in the seventh inning. Gabbard scored on a wild pitch after doubling to right center, and Richardson homered to left field, extending the lead to 7-4.
The Beavers attempted a comeback in the seventh with an RBI single by Orthner, bringing the score to 7-5. They added another run in the ninth inning on a single, but UMD held on for the victory.
The game marked the continuation of a UMD's runs streak, with at least seven runs scored in each of their last four consecutive games, as well as their hitting streak of four consecutive games with at least 10 hits.
Joe Herrick pitched six innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs, while striking out six batters and issuing three walks. This performance marked Herrick's first pitching win of the season, and he also recorded a season-high total of seven ground outs. Joe Gizzi entered the game for 1/3 inning, giving up three hits and one earned run with one walk. Darren Loyola contributed two 1/3 innings, surrendering just one hit and one earned run, while striking out two and walking one. Blake Eiden closed the game with 1/3 inning, facing two batters without allowing a hit or issuing a walk, securing a save in his appearance.
Richardson recorded three RBIs, including a home run, and Lynch tallied two runs and two hits, one of which was a double. Anthony added a home run and a double, collecting two hits and an RBI, while Gabbard scored two runs and notched two hits, including a double, to aid the offensive effort. Nikhil Kandi also contributed by recording at least two hits in two consecutive games.
UMD now has a overall record of 5-17 and a 4-7 in NSIC play.
