The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team split with Minot State University Saturday in Williston, N.D. at Rabon Field. The Bulldogs won the earlier game 5-4 before suffering a 4-3 setback in game two. UMD leaves Williston 3-1 overall on the weekend.

Game One, 5-4 UMD Win

The Bulldogs secured the win with a crucial two-run seventh inning, capitalizing on Minot State's lone defensive error. Scoreless through the first inning, MSU took an early lead on a groundout. 

UMD responded in the third inning when Sam Kliber singled and advanced to third on a hit by Hayden Anthony. Gabe Richardson's sacrifice fly brought Kliber home, tying the game at 1–1.

In the fifth inning, the Bulldogs regained the lead. Michael Gabbard walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error. Anthony drove him in with a single, making it 2–1. However, Minot State answered with two runs on a single to move ahead 3–2.

The Beavers extended their lead in the sixth with a sacrifice fly to pull ahead 4–2.

UMD tied the game in the seventh on a double from Nikhil Kandi doubled, who scored on a double by Gabbard. Anthony then singled to bring Gabbard home, leveling the score at 4–4.

The eighth inning saw the Bulldogs retake the lead when Troy Lynch walked and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Garrett Stauffacher's single drove in Lynch, giving UMD a 5–4 advantage.

In the ninth inning, Blake Eiden retired the side, securing a 5–4 victory over Minot State.

Jalen Pascal pitched three innings, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two and walking one. Caden Klebba took over and pitched for three innings, giving up three runs on four hits, with one walk and no strikeouts. Zak Brown contributed 2/3 of an inning, allowing one hit without conceding any runs. Joe Gizzi secured the win with a scoreless inning, facing three batters and inducing groundouts. Blake Eiden closed the game with a perfect inning, recording a strikeout and earning his second save of the season.

Anthony recorded three hits and drove in two runs, contributing significantly, while Gabbard crossed the plate twice and added a run-scoring double. Kandi tallied two hits, including a double, and scored a run, providing a strong presence at the plate. Gizzi pitched a hitless inning, earning the win while keeping the opposing batters in check with three groundouts.

Game Two, 4-3 UMD Lost

Despite leading early with three runs through the first three innings, the Bulldogs could not withstand Minot State's seventh-inning rally. UMD opened the scoring in the second inning when Garrett Stauffacher reached on an error and advanced to third on another error, allowing Cade Chittum to drive him in with a single to second base. The inning concluded with the Bulldogs leading 1–0.

In the third inning, Michael Gabbard singled to center field and was advanced to third by Sam Kliber's single to right. Henry Bushey grounded out to the pitcher, allowing Gabbard to score. Gabe Richardson followed with a single to right field, bringing Kliber home and extending the lead. Minot State responded with one run in their half, making it 3–1 in favor of UMD.

Minot State narrowed the gap in the fifth inning. After a leadoff walk, an RBI single brought Hutchison home, reducing the Bulldogs' lead to 3–2.

The Beavers took the lead in the seventh inning after a walk and advanced to third on a throwing error. McLean hit a two-RBI single to left field, scoring both Bagshaw and Hutchison, to give MSU a 4–3 lead – a lead the Beavers held on to.

Michael Foley pitched two innings, allowing three hits while striking out two batters and issuing no walks. Brady Schornstein appeared in one inning, surrendering two hits and one earned run, with one walk. Cal Smith held Minot State hitless over one inning, facing four batters and recording a season-high of three groundouts. Jacob Haughton pitched one inning, allowing one hit and one earned run, but managed to strike out one opposing hitters. Thomas Hanson concluded with one inning pitched, giving up two earned runs on one hit and two walks, registering one strikeout.

Gabbard collected two hits and scored a run while also stealing a base. Richardson recorded a hit and drove in a run, contributing to the team's offense.

UMD is now 6-18 on the season and 5-7 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. The Bulldogs will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. to face the University of Sioux in two double headers next Saturday and Sunday in Sioux Falls Stadium.