The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team suffered two setbacks to Rogers State University Saturday in Claremore, Okla 17-2 and 8-4 at RCB Bank Sports Complex. The Bulldogs finish their trip to Claremore 0-4 in four games played against the Hillcats.

Game One, 17-2 UMD Loss

RSU opened the game with a decisive first inning by scoring five runs. Kade Goeke started with a walk, stole second, and scored on Sammy Harris's sacrifice fly. A throwing error allowed another run, and Jake Mitchell hit a two-run homer. After one inning, the HIllcats were up 5-0.

In the second inning, UMD's Gabe Richardson singled, but the team was unable to capitalize. RSU added two more runs, including an RBI single by Andrew Ramirez and a double by Mitchell for a 7-0 lead after two innings.

The Hillcats continued to extend their lead in the third inning by scoring four runs. They benefited from a series of wild pitches and RBI groundouts to make it 11-0.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the fourth inning with a solo home run by Gabe Richardson, but RSU responded with four more runs, including an RBI single from Nathan Gutierrez. The score stood at 15-1 after four innings.

UMD picked up another run in the sixth when Joey Flom, who pinch ran for Troy Lynch, scored on a single by Garrett Stauffacher, but RSU added two more runs to extend its lead to 17-2.

Caden Klebba started for UMD and pitched one inning and allowed five earned runs on four hits, including a home run, with two walks and one strikeout. Liam Kruse relieved, pitching one inning and surrendering two runs on three hits, issuing two hit-by-pitches and a walk. Ayden Lysaght faced the most batters, covering one and 2/3 innings, and allowed eight runs on six hits with five walks and a triple. Jalen Pascal provided a steady performance in relief, pitching one 1/3 innings, striking out two batters, and allowing just one hit without yielding any runs. Schornstein finished the game with one inning of work, conceding two runs on two hits with a walk.

Richardson led the Bulldogs with a strong offensive performance, recording a season-high three hits, including a home run, and driving in one run. Additionally, he achieved a season-high total of six putouts, showcasing his defensive prowess. Stauffacher added a hit and an RBI, contributing to the team's scoring efforts, while Lynch managed to secure a hit in three at-bats.

Game Two, 8-4 UMD Loss

Despite scoring two runs in the third and ninth innings, UMD was unable to overcome Rogers State's four-run seventh inning.

UMD fell behind early after Rogers State scored two runs in the first inning. Kade Goeke walked and later scored on Andres Contreras' single, and Andrew Ramirez also crossed the plate on a single by Jake Mitchell, giving the Hillcats a 2-0 lead after one inning.

In the third inning, the Bulldogs tied the game with two runs. Cade Chittum walked and advanced to third on Michael Gabbard's single. Gabe Richardson then delivered a crucial two-run single, bringing home both runners to even the score at 2-2 by the end of the third inning. WIth the hit, Richardson has now logged at least two hits in back-to-back games.

RSU regained the lead in the fourth inning when Nathan Gutierrez, who was hit by a pitch, ultimately scored on a fielder's choice by Zak Nelson, giving the Hillcats a 3-2 advantage.

In the seventh inning, RSU extended its lead significantly. A wild pitch allowed Ramirez to score, followed by a double from Sammy Harris, which brought in another run. Gutierrez's sacrifice fly and a two-RBI single from Nelson pushed the score to 7-2.

In the eighth inning, RSU added another run when Goeke scored on a single by Sammy Harris, increasing its lead to 8-2.

UMD attempted a comeback in the ninth inning when Liam Kruse and pinch-runner Thomas Hanson each scored on a groundout by Sam Kliber and a sacrifice fly by Henry Bushey, respectively. Kliber's groundout marked his first RBI of the season, though the rally was not enough to get past RSU's 8-4 final run count.

Michael Foley started on the mound for the Bulldogs, pitching four innings and throwing a season-high 72 pitches while allowing three earned runs on four hits, with three walks and one strikeout. Zak Brown provided relief, retiring all three batters he faced in his inning of work. Joe Gizzi issued four walks in his single inning, though he managed to strike out two batters without allowing a hit. Jacob Haughton struggled in his brief appearance, surrendering three earned runs on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning, while Darren Loyola finished the game, pitching one 2/3 innings and giving up two earned runs on four hits with one strikeout.

Nikhil Kandi recorded three hits, finishing with an impressive 1.500 OPS, marking a season-high performance. Richardson contributed with two hits and an RBI, maintaining a strong 1.100 OPS. Chittum made a defensive impact with a season-high of four assists from shortstop. Additionally, Richardson recorded a season-high nine putouts, anchoring the defense effectively.

The Bulldogs now hold an overall record of 3-9, while Rogers State finishes the four games with a record boost at 16-3.

Notable Game Notes:

- Cade Chittum achieved a season-high total of four fielding assists.

- Michael Foley threw a season-high of 72 pitches.

- Nikhil Kandi registered a season-high total of 3 hits.

- Richardson recorded a season-high nine putouts and logged at least two hits in back-to-back games.

- Sam Kliber recorded his first run batted in of the season.