The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team dropped two games to Rogers State University on Friday at RCB Bank Sports Complex, with a 7-3 loss in game one and a 9-5 setback in game two, two of four games the Bulldogs will play against the Hillcats this weekend.

Game One, 7-3 UMD Loss

UMD tallied seven hits, including two doubles, but was unable to overcome a seven-run third inning by Rogers St.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the third inning when Logan Myers doubled to center field and advanced to third on a throwing error. Michael Gabbard followed with a single to center, driving in Myers before being caught out at second base for the 1-0 UMD lead. RSU responded offensively in a big way,, scoring seven runs in the bottom half, aided by a series of hits and errors. The inning ended with a 7-1 runs advantage for Hillcats.

In the fifth inning, Thomas Hanson led off with a single and was driven in by a double from Myers. Gabbard's single allowed Myers to reach third, and a double play from Sam Kliber allowed Myers to score, narrowing Rogers St.'s lead to 7-3. This marked a season-high performance for Myers, who scored twice, a season-best effort in crossing the plate.

The game concluded with neither team adding to their tally in the final two innings. Rogers St. secured a 7-3 victory over UMD.

UMD's pitching performance was led by Henry Wilkinson, who started the game and pitched four and 2/3 innings. Wilkinson allowed 12 hits and seven runs, with three of those runs earned. He did not walk any batters in his appearance, throwing 82 pitches, 54 of which were strikes. Joe Herrick came in as a reliever, pitching one and 1/3 innings and allowing only one hit while striking out one and issuing one walk. Despite the challenges faced, Herrick managed to keep the home team scoreless during his time on the mound.

Myers led UMD with two doubles and drove in one run while scoring twice, while Hanson added two hits and scored one run, contributing to the team's offensive efforts. Henry Bushey recorded one hit and made two assists defensively at shortstop. Gabbard collected two hits and one RBI, showcasing solid performance at the plate.

Game Two, 9-5 UMD Loss

Despite a three-run rally in the sixth inning, UMD was unable to overcome Rogers State's early lead. Notably, the team totaled 13 hits in the game, surpassing their season average of 8.67.

UMD started strong in the first inning with Sam Kliber singling to third and advancing to third on hits by Hayden Anthony and Troy Lynch. Gabe Richardson's sacrifice fly allowed Kliber to score, putting the Bulldogs ahead 1-0 after the first inning. This marked Richardson's first run batted in for the season.

The Hillcats responded forcefully in the bottom of the third by scoring four runs. Jake Mitchell doubled to bring in the first run, and further hits by Luis Fuentes and Blake Conrad extended their lead to 4-1 after three innings.

In the sixth inning, the Bulldogs closed the gap when Lynch singled and Richardson walked, setting the stage for a rally. Michael Reem reached on an error, allowing Lynch to score and recording his first RBI of the season. Michael Gabbard then singled to center, driving in two more runs, making it 8-4 by the end of the sixth inning. Gabbard's performance was notable – he registered a season-high total of two runs batted in and recorded two hits.

UMD added another run in the eighth inning when Garrett Stauffacher tripled and eventually scored on Reem's single. Stauffacher recorded two hits for the first time this season, and matched a season-high with three putouts.RSU DID maintain its lead with a sacrifice fly from Conrad, leaving the score at 9-5 through eight innings where it would stay after the ninth.

Wattermann took the mound for the Bulldogs, and pitched five innings, allowing 9 hits and 5 earned runs while striking out five batters and walking one. He faced 29 batters and threw a season-high 108 pitches, with 73 strikes, ending with a WHIP of 2.00. Wattermann also achieved a season-high with five ground outs on the hill. Blake Eiden contributed one 1/3 innings, giving up two hits and striking out one, for a WHIP of 2.73 on a season-high total of 30 pitches. Austin Lahti closed with one inning, allowing one earned run on no hits, walking one, and recording a strikeout, resulting in a WHIP of 1.00.

Kliber posted a strong performance with three hits, including a double, and one run scored for an OPS of 1.400. Lynch matched Kliber's hit total by also collecting three hits and scoring a run, while also recording a stolen base to contribute to an OPS of 1.200. Gabbard drove in two runs with his two hits, showcasing his clutch hitting with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, Reem added to the scoring with an RBI and a hit during his appearance. Thomas Hanson contributed by achieving a season-high total of two bases on balls.

UMD (3-7) and Rogers State (14-3) will do it all over again Saturday with a doubleheader slated to get underway at 12:00 p.m.