The University of Minnesota Duluth softball team showcased its dominance on the first day of the Branson Spring Games, recording two victories with a combined 23 runs.
In their first match, UMD secured a decisive 13-2 victory over Truman State University. Although Truman took an early lead with two runs in the first inning, UMD quickly responded.
Morgan McMillan's single and subsequent stolen base set the stage for
Kendal Jenkins' advance, followed by
Sierra Thomas hitting a three-run homer, putting the Bulldogs ahead 3-2 by the end of the first inning.
The Bulldogs continued their momentum into the second inning, where
Paige Johnson walked, and
Daphne Evans singled. This set up McMillan's two-RBI single, followed by another three-run homer from Thomas, extending the lead to 8-2. UMD's offensive display didn't stop there; in the fourth inning, Jenkins' single and stolen base, combined with a walk for Thomas, led to a run from
Khendal Johnson's single.
Ava Johnson then hit a three-run homer, and Evans capped the inning with an RBI single, closing it at 13-2. The game concluded after five innings, with
Emmie Sylvia-Cochran pitching four innings, allowing four hits and two runs, while striking out two batters.
Ashley Mandell relieved in the fifth, delivering a perfect inning with two strikeouts.
In their second match of the Branson Spring Games, UMD continued their strong performance with a commanding 10-2 victory over the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The scoring began in the second inning with Thomas' single to center field, followed by Johnson's single that advanced Thomas.
Paige Johnson's single loaded the bases, allowing Thomas to score on
Serena Timmer's sacrifice fly.
Emma Ambroz delivered a two-RBI single, and McMillan's single brought in another run, ending the inning at 4-2.
The Bulldogs extended their lead in the fourth inning. After Timmer's single,
Marissa Tomashek, pinch running, scored on McMillan's single. Thomas then doubled to drive in two more runs, raising the score to 7-2. In the fifth, Timmer hit a solo home run, and McMillan's single scored
Daphne Evans, bringing the score to 9-2.
Ava Johnson's triple in the sixth inning drove in Kendal Johnson, finalizing the score at 10-2.
Allyssa Williams pitched a complete game for the Bulldogs, allowing two earned runs on five hits over six innings, with four strikeouts and two walks.
The Bulldogs will face William Jewel University in a doubleheader on Wednesday starting at 2:00 p.m.
